Everyday choices impact Baltic Sea’s chemical load

Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY) reminds the general public that many such products are used at home which contain environmentally hazardous substances and chemicals. However, we can all control our chemical load.

“Hazardous chemicals are found, for example, in detergents, textile protection sprays, fireproofing agents and cosmetics,” says Heli Lindberg, a HSY environmental monitoring officer - writes hel.fi

“The safest choices for the environment – and for water treatment plants – are products marked either with the Nordic Swan or with the EU’s Flower Eco-label environmental label. Both labels are proof that the product fulfills the regulatory environmental standards, and the entire life cycle of the product is designed with due consideration of global warming, eutrophication of water systems and excessive chemical loads on the environment. Either environmental label can today be found on many ordinary home chemicals and products.”

Products classified as hazardous waste include medicines, paints, varnishes and paint thinners. They should be disposed of according to specific sorting and recycling instructions.

“We work constantly to develop our wastewater treatment methods, but we need help from consumers. Everyone can help and have an impact by assessing their use of chemicals and cosmetics, by sorting and recycling their waste appropriately and by choosing environmentally friendly products.”

HSY’s wastewater treatment plants have efficient processes to remove nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorous and organic substances. But various chemicals that do not belong in the sewer can be processed only to a limited extent and end up in natural water systems.

The pytty.fi websibe contains information on how to make environmentally friendly choices at home, when shopping and when renovating. A campaign on the theme is run at movie theatres, on the radio and on social media.

HSY