Learn more about the services and practical tips that help you make your day-to-day life more sustainable.
On this page
You don’t have to buy and own everything. Before buying something new, consider whether you could borrow or rent it from someone.
Pay less for the same quality by buying second-hand. You can also donate or sell items in good condition that you no longer need.
Did your zipper break, or is there a hole in your wallet? Try to repair it. See DIY tips or available repair services here.
When something is no longer usable, sort it correctly so that it can be recycled. Sorting helps reduce the amount of mixed waste, which saves money.
Download guides for sustainable daily life.
Our day-to-day choices affect our wellbeing and our environment. The products and services we use, our energy consumption, our chosen modes of transport and our diet are all part of our more extensive ecological footprint. Small, consciously made decisions, such as using public transport, recycling and choosing sustainable products, can have a major impact on mitigating climate change and the consumption of natural resources. Often, these same choices also help save money and increase wellbeing. These pages offer you practical tips on how to live a more ecologically and financially sustainable life in Helsinki.
Borrow or rent
You don’t have to buy and own everything. Before buying something new, consider whether you could borrow or rent it from someone.
Did you know that you can also borrow tools, sports equipment or instruments from Helsinki libraries? You can also use computers and printers. At some libraries, you can play games, sew or play the piano.
Borrow: Books, music, games, drills, tennis racquets, headphones, heart rate monitors, skis, skates and musical instruments.
Explore library services through the Helmet online library(Link leads to external service)
Varaamo has a wide variety of the City’s facilities and equipment that you can reserve for personal use free of charge or at an affordable price.
Reserve: meeting rooms, work stations, banquet facilities, event venues, studios, cottages and saunas; 3D printers, sewing machines, laser cutters and photo printers.
Reserve the City’s facilities and equipment(Link leads to external service)
Second-hand is best
Pay less for the same quality by buying second-hand. You can also donate or sell items in good condition that you no longer need.
The Reuse Centre’s outlets sell and receive second-hand goods. All the outlets also have a section where you can take items for free. The outlet profits are used for environmental work and promoting employment.
Donate or buy: Clothes, books, tableware, bicycles, furniture, carpets, household textiles, toys, records, household appliances and electronics.
Learn more about the Reuse Centre and its operations(Link leads to external service)
Uusix workshops repair recycled goods and use them to make sustainable and ethical products. The Kyläsaari Reuse Centre can be found next to the Uusix workshops.
Buy: Handicraft products, repaired computers, computer components, restored bicycles, bicycle parts, building parts.
Donate: Bicycles and bicycle parts, textiles, small decorative items, construction supplies, timber and metal.
Uusix workshop on the Service Map(Link leads to external service)
Helsinki has many places where people gather in the summertime to sell their items. These flea markets do not have an actual organiser. Instead, every vendor is responsible for their own sales spot.
If you are selling your items without any structures, such as tables, and you are not blocking people’s passage in the area, you do not need a sales permit from the City. However, remember to clean up after yourself and take away any items that you did not manage to sell.
During the summer season, you can check popular park jumble sales on the Stadissa page:
You can buy and sell second-hand goods in many other places as well.
Other second-hand stores on the Service Map(Link leads to external service)
Repair and maintain
Did your zipper break, or is there a hole in your wallet? Try to repair it. See DIY tips or available repair services here.
Libraries allow you to borrow or use different tools, such as grinders, phone repair kits, textile washers, sewing machines, overlock machines or sewing supplies.
Use the library search(Link leads to external service) to see if you can find what you need.
The Pyöräpaja bicycle workshop is an open DIY workshop where you can service your bike free of charge. The workshop has the tools you need, and the volunteers working at the workshop advise you on how to work on your bike.
Find out more about the operations of Pyöräpaja (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
Community houses
Helsinki’s community houses are activity centres and meeting places open to all residents. Many community houses have sewing machines, as well as free guided sewing sessions that offer visitors the opportunity to learn how to repair and alter their clothing.
Learn more about community houses
Helsinki Finnish Adult Education Centre
The Helsinki Finnish Adult Education Centre is an educational institution open to all. The Adult Education Centre provides a wide variety of courses in different fields, as well as in different languages. There are thousands of courses and events available, including many courses for repairing and restoring items and textiles.
Sign up via the ilmonet.fi service(Link leads to external service)
Sort your waste
When something is no longer usable, sort it correctly so that it can be recycled. Sorting helps reduce the amount of mixed waste, which saves money.
Sorting waste is a financially smart choice, as unsorted mixed waste is the most expensive type of waste. When waste materials are sorted correctly, they can be used to make new products. Sorting waste conserves natural resources and prevents toxic substances from spreading into the environment.
Waste collection in your housing company: Only bring types of waste that have designated containers for them to the waste facility of the housing company. The waste must fit into the waste container. Keep the waste facility and its surroundings tidy to prevent rats from spreading.
Stores: Return bottles and drink cans to a store’s disposal machine. You will receive some money back. Used batteries can also be returned to stores. Remember to tape over the battery terminals to prevent fires.
Sortti stations: Large items and hazardous waste can be taken to Sortti stations. If you do not have a car, you can order a pick-up service for a fee.
→ See the locations and service hours of Sortti stations(Link leads to external service)
→ Order a paid Sortti pick-up service(Link leads to external service)
Find collection points for different waste types on the Service Map(Link leads to external service)
The InfoFinland.fi website presents plenty of important information to people moving to Finland. The website has waste sorting instructions in several different languages.
Read more about waste and recycling(Link leads to external service)
More information and materials
Service brochure on everyday circular economy
Download a brochure about the circular economy services in Helsinki: How to save money and the environment – Getting to know circular economy (PDF)