How you can help

Food

• Eat fish that are not endangered. To find out which these are, download WWF's Seafood Guide.
• Where possible, eat food produced locally. Shorter transportation distances mean fewer airborne nitrogen emissions which contribute to eutrophication.
• Reduce your consumption of meat.  Meat production produces large amounts of manure, a primary source of nutrients that cause eutrophication. Eating large amounts of animal products can also raise nitrogen levels in human urine, which puts a strain on the Baltic Sea even after purification.
• Stop or reduce your use of disposable cutlery, plates and cups.

Washing

• Use environmentally friendly (eco-label and phosphate-free) cleaning and personal care products.
• Don’t release dishwater directly to the water system. Instead, allow the soil to absorb it. Make sure your waste water treatment system is of the best available technology. 
• Replace modern lavatories in summer homes with composting ones to save water and energy and more effectively reduce nutrients.

Waste

• Minimize the amount of waste you create.
• Compost all organic material.
• Dispose of all relevant garbage at recycling centres.
• Empty your boat’s septic tank and other waste water into the treatment systems in harbours, rather than at sea. 

Recreation

• Choose environmentally friendly vehicles and fuels on land and at sea.
• Keep your cruising on motor boats and jet skis to a minimum reduce pollution, noise and emissions of nitrous oxides. 
• Replace your boat's old two-stroke engine with a four-stroke.
• Use environmentally friendly anti-fouling paint and methods to keep the boat hull clean.
• Stop using artificial fertilizers and pesticides in your garden as they can end up in water systems. 
• Keep bonfires away from the water to reduce the risk of ash getting into the water and exacerbating eutrophication.

Managing the shore

• Maintain the natural coast line at your summer cottage. 
• Avoid dredging as it may release nutrients and toxics stored in the sediment and foster eutrophication.
• Respect bird sanctuaries and do not disturb nesting birds.

Get involved

• Ask your local politicians about the Baltic Sea environment.
• Write letters to the editor of the newspapers or magazines that you read – whether national or local.
• Keep the pressure on government and business decision makers, especially if you live in a coastal municipality.
• Join WWF as a member to support our work to improve the state of the Baltic Sea.