Waste-Free vacation

No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. As a visitor, you can contribute to a better and more sustainable environment in the archipelago by taking your trash home with you and sorting it at the nearest recycling station! Above all, do not leave glass jars or bottles on the islands. All waste and garbage from the islands must be transported back to the mainland. By bringing your own waste home, we can reduce the number of boat transports at sea and thereby lessen the environmental impact.

How to make your boating life more sustainable

Before you set off

• Pack smart
Think through your packing so you don’t take more garbage with you than necessary.

• Leave your trash at home
You can leave a lot of trash behind even before you set sail by removing unnecessary packaging and repacking the contents in moisture-proof containers.

• Bring something to sort recycling into, such as a large reusable bag.

• Plan your route
Plan your calls at larger ports where there are recycling stations, sewage disposal, and grocery stores?

At sea

• Take your rubbish with you to the next port
Don’t use the rubbish bins outside the archipelago toilets in natural harbours unless absolutely necessary, to reduce the frequency of refuse collections.

• Recycle
Sort your waste on board and recycle glass, metal, plastic and paper packaging at home or in the larger harbours.

• Use existing archipelago toilets whenever possible
Do not urinate in the sea, it is better on land where there is vegetation.

• Empty your toilet tank at proper facilities along your route
Find your nearest station at www.hamnkartan.se or the guest harbour's website.

• Beach cleaning
Help by picking up any rubbish you find. Use the bag dispensers and register your cleaning efforts in the Strandstädarkartan app.

Always use existing toilets

Keep in mind that the solar-powered eco-toilets at various camping sites are designed to separate urine from solid waste. Never dispose of trash, wet wipes, or sanitary products (tampons, pads, or diapers) in the toilets, as this will damage the system. These toilets should be used only as toilets.

If no toilet is available, as a last resort, you may bury human waste and toilet paper in a secluded spot. Always carry a small shovel with you.