Sweden

The Five: Eco-Friendly Practices in Sweden

Environmental studies consistently list Sweden as a top eco-friendly country, with some calling it the “world’s most sustainable nation.”

Sweden didn’t tackle climate change and human wastefulness overnight. Gradual changes in city infrastructure, which encouraged and provided the opportunity for individual, household and citywide sustainability, have continued to clean Sweden since the 1990s.

These are five eco-friendly initiatives that Sweden has employed.

Organic Retail Stores

Organic retailers populate Swedish cities, whose residents continue to demand more organic grocery, fashion and cosmetics stores. Most likely, you’ve heard of H&M, which uses organic material in affordable, high-quality clothing. Other stores, including 8T8 and Kalf & Hansen in Stockholm, continue to advocate self-sufficiency and preserve the surrounding environment.

Centralized District Heating

Sweden’s cities continue to use district heating as a cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative to oil. This allows central plants to use recyclable, industrial heat (among other green techniques) through networks that cover thousands of homes/apartment blocks across the nation. As a result, the Swedes enjoy fresh air without excessive greenhouse gas emissions.

Public Allotment Gardens

Plant the first seed! Urban gardening remains the most interactive eco-friendly practice in Sweden. Put differently, allotment gardens impact a Swede’s lifestyle more than other citywide sustainability initiatives. As individuals tend fruits and vegetables, savings and therapy grow in a community garden – these gardens prove fruitful in more ways than one.

Green Homes

Arguably, Sweden’s success in improving nationwide sustainability comes from the ability to promote, popularize and provide the means for eco-friendly activity. It’s no wonder that, just as with urban gardening, recycling remains a common Swedish practice rather than a statistical inconvenience. In fact, recycling companies create attractive advertisements and offer considerable financial payoffs to reward green Swedes!

Centralized Waste Management

Sweden has begun to streamline city and municipality waste management systems to minimize the negative effects of climate change. Västra Hamnen, a neighborhood in Malmö, uses an underground tank to catch all household waste before it’s converted into a renewable fuel supply. Numerous other cities continue to aid the nation’s sustainability effort through green roof panels, public transit and more.