Champs-Elysées Committee presents plan to "re-enchant" the iconic avenue
The organization aims to make the street attractive for Parisian residents again
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It is believed that materials that quickly become outdated, such as magazines, inexpensive paperbacks and rarely loaned reference books could be left completely uncoated.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
Voting in Belgium is not just a civil right, but also a compulsory duty
The legal battle has concluded one chapter but a new one might be yet brewing
Silesian will have to wait for better times after the Polish president vetoed the bill recognizing its special status
This is the first of its kind for the Irish capital and previews the usage of the flying machines in public services
Researchers are testing ways to remove "forever chemicals" from the environment and replace them in some commercial goods.
The legal battle has concluded one chapter but a new one might be yet brewing
“Requiem in Power”, as is the full name of the project, is promoted as the largest urban solar plant in Spain
At the start of the summer season, the European Environment Agency published an assessment
Voting in Belgium is not just a civil right, but also a compulsory duty
The legal battle has concluded one chapter but a new one might be yet brewing
At the start of the summer season, the European Environment Agency published an assessment
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
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team