A littered environment attracts even more littering. An environment with less litter, in turn, raises the threshold to throw rubbish in nature. Everyone can influence the behaviour of others through their example.
On a clean shore it is nicer to spend time and play.
Knowledge, awareness, and environmental education reduce the littering caused by pure thoughtlessness. Organisations play an important role in spreading environmental information. Each citizen can also make a difference: if you notice that the waste management in your local community needs to be repaired, suggest improvements to the authorities and decision-makers in your area. You can also write about it on social media and in the Correspondence Sections of magazines and newspapers.
Even the individual's consumer choices matter.
Measures are being taken to reduce littering, e.g. by avoiding the unnecessary packaging of products, charging for plastic bags, making recycling more efficient, and improving waste management. Besides, alternative packaging materials, such as wood, are being developed to replace plastic. It is also important to monitor the effectiveness of these measures
The monitoring of shoreline litter is directed by the Ministry of the Environment. The organisation known as Keep the Archipelago Tidy (PSS ry), in turn, is responsible for shoreline monitoring in cooperation with the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE).
Recycling is an essential part of a sustainable lifestyle. Here, recycling instructions are given for plastic, glass, small metal items, cardboard, paper, and batteries.