Useful source to know about hazards in products we use everyday
Yesterday in Riga the final event of the campaign “Think before you buy” informing people about hazardous substances in everyday products took place. Partners from three Baltic States and Netherlands presented achieved results stating that campaign not only reached huge audience but also, increased peoples’ concern and changed consumption patterns. They stressed that project website www.thinkbefore.eu will remain useful source of information for everyone willing to live their life more healthy and reduce hazardous substances cocktail in their body.
Consumers can make a change
“Think before you buy” started in 2011 with the main aim to initiate a stronger demand for products free of hazardous substances in the three Baltic States and communicate these demands to decision makers on a national and international level. The initiators of the campaign believed that difficult situation can be solved, when consumer will be aware of the problem and prepared to demand safer products from producers. Consumers stroked! They showed huge interest in this topic (especially young parents), actively attended the events, asked questions and shared information. Project team also tried to get the youth aware for action to change consumption patterns. Teacher’s and future teacher’s (students) were trained for practice the special lessons in schools.
Campaign went huge
The initiative has received a lot of attention from local and national press in all three Baltic countries) and it has influenced the consumption patterns in the partner retail stores. Moreover, the research initiated by European Commission in 2014 (Eurobarometer “Attitudes of European Citizens towards the Environment”) shows positive change. According to the data gathered, “the impact of chemicals on health“ has higher concern in all Baltic States (Lithuania 63%, Latvia 53% and Estonia 48%) than EU average (43%). The campaign received attention from European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella. He visited project partners in Riga in the beginning of 2015. “Think before you buy” has already received a positive feedback from Nordic countries and Mixico. They have showed interest to uptake the project results also in their countries.
Living library on the topic of hazardous substances
In campaigns’ website www.thinkbefore.eu people can always find all information about hazardous chemicals, its effects on health and, most importantly, advises on how to avoid those substances. Complex of testings that was done in Baltic countries within the campaign is reflected there also. Visitors can get through dust, blood, product, indoor air testing results and the most important findings. Webpage encourages involvement of consumers, business and politicians. It invites spreading the word and sharing campaigns’ information materials – posters, infografs, short animated clips, artistic videos, brochures, pocket guides, handbooks and other (check them in the webpage). They can be used perfectly for educational purposes. For teachers, there is a special handbook helping to incorporate the topics of hazardous substances to the curriculum. Business and politicians can get inspiration for a change. Webpage gives some guideless and successful examples to follow. Variety of articles in related topics and answers to visitors’ questions makes the webpage real living library. Most of information is provided in 5 different languages – Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, English, Russian.
“Think before you buy” says: “we can avoid or reduce the risk of being harmed
by hazardous substances if we make good choices on the everyday products we use”. Let’s do that. Start now.
“Think before you buy” (officially known as BaltInfoHaz project) campaign has been one of the first LIFE information and communication projects in the Baltic States.
