In Lahti, the residents’ association in the Ankkuri area also lends litter picks to occasional passers-by. The idea for the lending shop was born on an English beach.
– My second child was just wondering why there was rubbish here, when there is a rubbish bin right next door,” says mother Neea-Reeta.
The Aaltonen family often collects rubbish outside the campaign. The family cycles and the children decide which way to go at any given time.
– We pick up rubbish along the way, it’s a kind of common hobby for us.
Aaltos carries its own garbage tongs on the trip. In the residential area of \u200b\u200bAnkkur, there is also a trash can loan company established by the Ankkurilahti residents’ association.
– I saw a stand on the beach where there were trash tongs. It flashed into my mind that this would be an idea for Lahti as well.
Significant costs for littering
The timing was good, because three years ago Lahti was a candidate for European environmental capital, and ideas like this were wanted to be supported in the city.
A garbage loan was realized in the residential area of \u200b\u200bAnkkur in 2020, and the following year Lahti was chosen as the environmental capital of Europe.
– You don’t need to make reservations for trash cans in advance and you don’t need to ask for a credit card. When passing by, you can grab a pair of pliers, Niko Niemi laughs.
On the other side of the trash can holder, there are instructions for taking a selfie after a successful collection and sending the photo on.
In Lahti, it has been calculated that littering cost the city 300,000 euros last year. It includes the collection of garbage from the city’s streets and green areas, the emptying of garbage cans and garbage waste fees.
Take part in the talks and report the amount of trash you collect here!