A project about hazardous substances in common household items was created for the Russian-speaking audience in order to draw people's attention to invisible sources of danger that can lurk in familiar objects in every home, to show how you can avoid the hazard and motivate to avoid using certain hazardous materials. The project gives information on different products and materials, their components and health effects, explains danger signs, pictograms and ecolabels (Vitality Leaf in Russia) as a tool for sustainable consumption.
The project is implemented in the frames of an international project "Non Hazard City 2" with the support of INTERREG Baltic Sea Region programme
Implemented in
- Russian Federation
Led by
Sectors of activity
Consumer Goods, Waste, incl. Chemicals, Food & Beverage
Type of initiative
Education & Awareness Raising
Start date
01/09/2019
Submitted on:
24/12/2020Objectives
The aim of the project is to demonstrate possibilities to reduce emissions of hazardous substances to the Baltic Sea at the source. The main focus is on emissions from small scale emitters in urban areas. The activities of the project include information campaigns and trainings for different stakeholders - private households, municipal entities and businesses.
We provide the information on hazardous substances in different forms: website, video, social media posts, articles, seminars and webinars.
The information covered within the project includes:
a general overview of the health and environmental problems related to the use of hazardous substances;
information about which hazardous chemicals can be found in different everyday products;
advice on how to find safer alternatives and minimize the exposure from hazardous chemicals.
Activities
As collected through the One Planet Reporting
Output level
Outreach and communication for SCP
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Animation video "Hazardous substances at home"
Animation video "Hazardous substances at home"
Regions
Europe and Central Asia
Online activity
Lead organization
Ecological Union
Objective
An animation video about hazardous substances in common household items was created for the Russian-speaking audience. We aim to draw people's attention to invisible sources of danger that can lurk in familiar objects in every home, to show how you can avoid the hazard and motivate to avoid using certain hazardous materials.
Achievements
The actions described in the video will help people to preserve their health and prevent the release of hazardous substances into the environment by choosing household products without hazardous substances in their components. Impact and results: The video was posted on the Ecological Union's website, social media, reposted by partners and Russian environmental NGOs. It was viewed about 3000 times (by Dec 2020). Active users commented the video and had their questions regarding the hazardous substances answered. Next steps and how to get involved: Share the video on your resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK_imR-XFFQ The video was created during the international project "Non Hazard City 2" implemented with the support of INTERREG Baltic Sea Region programme
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National Geographic Russia "Is it safe to stay home? New Year's detox for your apartment"
National Geographic Russia "Is it safe to stay home? New Year's detox for your apartment"
Regions
Europe and Central Asia
Lead organization
Ecological Union
Objective
A big and detailed article was published in National Geographic Russia magazine to acquaint the reader with toxic substances that can be found in every home and to give specific practical recommendations on how to avoid them.
Achievements
We promote sustainable lifestyle and encourage a wide audience to engage in environmentally conscious behavior by choosing environmentally friendly products. The information covered within the article includes: - a general overview of the health and environmental problems related to the use of hazardous substances; - information about which hazardous chemicals can be found in different everyday products; - advice on how to find safer alternatives and minimize the exposure from hazardous chemicals. Over 18,000 views of the article (by Dec 2020). The material was read on average twice as long as other materials on the National Geographic Russia website, which means that the article is really interesting and useful for the audience.
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Guidebook "How to clean your home from hazardous substances"
Guidebook "How to clean your home from hazardous substances"
Regions
Europe and Central Asia
Lead organization
Ecological Union
Objective
The aim of this guidebook is to inform people about the hazardous chemicals in common household items (e.g. food packaging, cosmetics, furniture and building materials), to show how they can be avoided and motivate people to consciously refuse from some hazardous materials in their everyday life. The brochure describes hazardous substances that can be found in household items and gives advice on how to minimize their harmful effects. There are checklists for cleaning each room of the house, eco-tips, reliable eco-labels, explanations of danger signs, plastic codes and pictograms. The guidebook was created by the chemical and ecolabelling experts of the Ecological Union developed together with international team in the frames of Non Hazard City 2 project supported by the INTERREG Baltic Sea Region programme.
Achievements
We believe this materials will help to preserve human health and minimize the flow of hazardous substances into the environment. As a result of the information campaign "How to clean hazardous substances from your home" on social media the brochure was downloaded about 200 times, viewed over 3000 times (by Dec 2020). Active users commented and had their questions answered. The total social media coverage is over 7,500 views. Next steps and how to participate: We continue to distribute the Guidebook to the Russian-speaking audience and invite you to share it on your resources: https://ecounion.ru/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Broshyura_Kak-ochistit-dom-ot -opasnyh-veshhestv.pdf
Impact and Results
The information and activities of this project will help to raise awareness and preserve peoples health as well as prevent the release of hazardous substances into the environment.
It is impossible to avoid exposure to hazardous substances completely, however we should take every effort and opportunity to reduce the numbers and amounts of substances contained in the chemical cocktail we are exposed to.
We expect people, local businesses and municipalities to pay more attention to the materials, components, labels and danger signs of the items that they purchase and use e.g. kitchenware, furniture, cosmetics, detergents etc and to choose more safe and environmentally friendly options. By doing so we will lower our chemical impact on the environment and move towards more sustainable consumption and production models.
Next steps and how to get involved
Share the information, materials and resources from our website https://thinkbefore.eu/ru/
Share the video on hazardous substances at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK_imR-XFFQ