Over 50,000 people visited the Helsinki Baltic Herring Market, held in Helsinki Market Square from 2 to 8 October. This year, the event was developed in an even more environmentally friendly direction, using the EcoCompass environmental system for organising events, developed by the City of Helsinki Environment Centre.
The EcoCompass for events system aims to minimise the environmental impacts of various events, concentrating on the reduction of the amount of waste, logistics, and environmental communications, among other issues. An environmental programme is also created for the event, and its implementation is monitored.
The objectives set for 2016 were successfully achieved and after the event, the Helsinki Baltic Herring Market received the EcoCompass certificate. This year, on the opening day of the Helsinki Baltic Herring Market, the food vendors at the event used only biodegradable serving dishes. The possibilities for recycling waste were increased for both vendors and customers, attention was paid to the environmental systems of subcontractors when drafting agreements, and communication with interest groups about environmental matters was improved. Responsibility issues were also visible in the programme of the event, in the form of the annual Silakkasoutu rowing race, a charity event held for the benefit of the Baltic Sea, for example.
‘Being awarded the certificate is a fantastic start for determined environmental work. We have also come up with long-term goals for our environmental programme, committing us to greener choices at future events as well’, says Annika Rantanen, producer of the event.
The EcoCompass certificates are granted on 17 November in the Empire hall of the Old Town Hall.
The next Helsinki Baltic Herring Market is to be held from 1 to 7 October 2017. Next year’s Helsinki Baltic Herring Market will be a part of the Finland 100 Let’s eat together programme.
