What’s land recycling? Read about this German example
The city of Flensburg got a grant from the regional government of Schleswig-Holstein so that it would avoid building on new land
Children's books are the ones that need to be protected the most, Source: Maarit Hohteri / City of Helsinki
Instead, bio coating will be used in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen
The libraries in the Helmet network (Helsinki Metropolitan Area) will be betting on sustainable alternatives to protect their books. Instead of using plastic coverings and thereby contributing to plastic pollution, from 2021 the institutions will rely on a more sustainable, plant-based alternative, or will not be using any coverings at all.
The libraries in Helsinki acquired 124 000 books last year alone. This requires an enormous quantity of plastic to be used for their preservation and to delay their wear.
Similar is the situation with the other city libraries in Helsinki’s metropolitan area, like those in the municipalities of Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. That is why the HelMet network, counting a total of 64 libraries, decided to go green on book coverings and replace plastic with a sustainable alternative, originating from plants.
As of recently, the culture establishments can rely on a high-quality plant-based replacement of plastic, which replicates its protective effect. An additional benefit is that the material is made by Finnish company Pelloplast.
Their bioplastic material consists of a film made of sugar cane ethanol. Only renewable raw materials are used to produce it, while the water-soluble glues it contains do not contain any solvents.
However, existing plastic stocks will be used to protect books, until they are exhausted. Once this is the case, only bioplastic material will be purchased for covering. The transitional period should last no longer than a couple of months.
Furthermore, the libraries are studying if covering books and other items is really necessary to extend their lifetime and to prevent them from turning into waste before their time has come. A pilot project, that has started last March, is still to determine if some items are better left unprotected.
It is believed that materials that quickly become outdated, such as magazines, inexpensive paperbacks and rarely loaned reference books could be left completely uncoated. On the other hand, a protective coat is still needed for children’s books and books in the mobile library.
TheMayor.EU stands against fake news and disinformation. If you encounter such texts and materials online, contact us at info@themayor.eu
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
His name is Adrian-Dragoș Benea from Romania
Find out her vision for the next five years and what’s in store for the European Union
Gotland wants to be at the forefront of this emerging mobility technology
It’s all about preventing the habit of slowing down just for the radar
Landkreis Heilbronn will also enlist the help of sensors to identify incorrectly filled organic trash bins
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
The Old Continent gets ready for the largest festival of sports
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital