OMA puoti

Renewable district energy in the Helsinki region is supplied by Helen (<a href="https://www.helen.fi/en/heating-and-cooling/renewable-district-heating">https://www.helen.fi/en/heating-and-cooling/renewable-district-heating</a>).

The operator might ask for an offer from Ekoenergia  (<a href="https://www.ekoenergy.org/">https://www.ekoenergy.org/</a>), which has compiled a list of companies that offer sustainable energy. In addition, various energy companies offer different forms of sustainable energy.

The operator has a plan with quantified targets for reducing energy use. The operator is party to an Energy Efficiency Agreement. 

Access by public transport is stated on the establishment’s website, and the closest city bike station is mentioned.

This can mean, for example, recycling glass or biowaste even when the amount is less than 50 kg per week or arranging for plastic recycling. Further information about general waste management regulations for the Helsinki metropolitan area and Kirkkonummi: HSY waste management regulations (<a href="https://www.hsy.fi/en/waste-and-recycling/waste-services-for-properties/">https://www.hsy.fi/en/waste-and-recycling/waste-services-for-properties/</a>). 

The operator uses eco-labelled detergents whenever there is such an option available for the product in question. If cleaning is outsourced, the operator should ensure that eco-labelled detergents are used. A list of approved ecolabels and certificates (<a href="https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/ecolabels-included-in-the-sustainability-criteria">https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/ecolabels-included-in-the-sustainability-criteria</a>).

Species favoured by pollinators include, for example, clover, lavender and European goldenrod. The declining number of pollinators is also a matter of international concern for the future of food production. Pollinators have declined largely as a result of changes in land use, and urban areas can play a significant role in maintaining their numbers. You can inquire about pollination services at <a href="https://www.polytys.fi">https://www.polytys.fi</a>. Urban beekeeping services are being developed in Helsinki. Further information: <a href="https://www.polytys.fi/polyttajat-puutarhassa/vinkkeja-kasvivalintoihin/">https://www.polytys.fi/polyttajat-puutarhassa/vinkkeja-kasvivalintoihin/</a>. 

The operator can have the most significant impact on sustainability by encouraging changes in the activities of other parties. For example, the operator may require its landlord or subcontractors to fulfil the same criteria.

A list of approved ecolabels and certificates (<a href="https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/ecolabels-included-in-the-sustainability-criteria">https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/ecolabels-included-in-the-sustainability-criteria</a>).

The operator must comply with existing health and safety guidelines: <a href="https://www.hel.fi/yritystenhelsinki/fi/matkailuelinkeino/turvallisuus/">https://www.hel.fi/yritystenhelsinki/fi/matkailuelinkeino/turvallisuus/</a>. 

Although local production is not in all cases more climate-friendly than products produced further away, supporting local production is important in terms of social sustainability. Clothing and accessories should be made in Europe. For grocery stores, more than half of the product groups contain items produced within a 200 km radius and these products are clearly marked. The number and definition of product groups depends on the operating model of the store.

The shop takes in items that are no longer in use, such as electronic equipment and repurposes them or has them repaired. Other merchandise may also be returned, such as items of clothing that children have outgrown or other goods that the shop can repurpose.

The shop sells second-hand goods, such as used furniture and clothing.

In addition to buying goods, it is also possible to borrow or rent items, for example, books or clothing for a specified amount of time, within established rules.

Products made from recycled materials can be purchased from the shop all year round.

In long raw material chains, the origin of the product is blurred, leading to ambiguities in the ethical and environmental impact of the product. In locally produced products, the production chain is usually more traceable and information on their origin is easier to obtain.

The shop should seek primarily to minimise the amount of waste. However, if waste is produced, it should be donated to an operator in the voluntary sector, sold directly to the customer at a reduced price or recycled so that the material can be reused.

The shop has at least one product in its assortment all year round that has an ecolabel or certificate. A list of approved ecolabels and certificates (<a href="https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/ecolabels-included-in-the-sustainability-criteria">https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/ecolabels-included-in-the-sustainability-criteria</a>).

The operator should review the accessibility of the premises. Information on whether the space is wheelchair accessible or otherwise accessible should be clearly visible on the operator's website. This information should also explain the availability of temporary ramps, for example. Further information on accessibility can be found, for example, on the website of the Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities: <a href="https://www.invalidiliitto.fi/tietoa/liikkumisen-tuen-palvelut/esteettomyys">https://www.invalidiliitto.fi/tietoa/liikkumisen-tuen-palvelut/esteettomyys</a> and <a href="https://www.invalidiliitto.fi/esteettomyys/saavutettavuus">https://www.invalidiliitto.fi/esteettomyys/saavutettavuus</a>.

Charitable activities include, for example, recreational activities for children, the protection of endangered species, services for the poor, and the rehabilitation of natural or cultural environments. The Finnish Social Enterprise Mark can be held by companies that have been set up to solve social and environmental problems and dedicate most of their profits to this purpose. Further information: <a href="https://suomalainentyo.fi/en/services/finnish-social-enterprise/">https://suomalainentyo.fi/en/services/finnish-social-enterprise/</a>.

The operator has taken active measures to make the location equal for all and communicates this visibly (e.g. rainbow flag, anti-discrimination area, family or child friendliness). The owner, together with staff, has created guidelines on how customers and staff should act in the event of sexual harassment, racist, homophobic or other discriminatory behavior or other inappropriate behaviour on the premises. These guidelines are clearly visible to the customer. Reviewing these guidelines is part of staff orientation (including subcontractors and temporary employees). At the basic level, the guidelines include informing the staff member or person responsible for safety of the situation. This staff member or person has a clear policy that is also communicated to the customer about situations in which the person accused of disruptive behaviour shall be removed from the premises. Assistance in developing these guidelines is available from the Valomerkki campaign (<a href="https://valomerkki.club/#yhteys">https://valomerkki.club/#yhteys</a>).

People who may otherwise be difficult to place in the work environment include, for example, the long-term unemployed (as defined, for example in the Public Employment Services Act, 1295/2002), those who speak Finnish poorly and those with intellectual disabilities. Genuine employment is important in this regard. These people must have an employment contract and be paid for their work. Incentive pay is not considered a wage.

Staff members should be allowed to spend, for example, 1 working day a year performing volunteer work or participating in a volunteer project, which can take place in cooperation with organisational partners. Volunteering during working hours benefits the operator, the wellbeing of its staff members and the voluntary organisation where the activity takes place. It allows staff members to learn new things and understand responsibility in a new way. In addition, volunteering has been shown to increase the happiness of those who participate in it.

OMA puoti completes 11/23 of the Think Sustainably criteria for shops.