For the first time in the history of SELL Student Games we have an environmental theme and it includes sustainable practices in all major strategic fields. We hope that all SELL participants take part in greening our event!

Before the games

• Unplug all your electronic devices when leaving home!

A significant amount of electricity is consumed by electric appliances when they are not in use but on standby waiting to be used. Switch off the appliances when you´re not using them in order to save energy. You could also use a power strip with a switch – you can switch off all appliances at the same time.

• If you`re travelling by flying make sure that you compensate the carbon footprint of the journey!

`Climate Friendly` web page has clear instructions how to compensate your flight`s carbon footprint and you can pay the amount easily using your online banking service. https://climatefriendly.com/flight

• Rail traffic is the most carbon neutral option when it comes to travelling: use it for travelling to the games!

Using a train instead of a car (only one passenger) creates approximately 9 times less carbon dioxide emissions.

• If you have to use a car when travelling to the games make sure that the car is full of people!

Through SELL Facebook webpage you can easily inform whether you need or offer a ride, https://www.facebook.com/pages/SELL-Student-Games-2012-carpooling/149298588510841. Besides this there is a general web site to receive or inform rides, if the ones informed in Facebook won´t suit you well. The carbon footprint of a car trip is usually almost the same despite the amount of passengers in it. This is why you can divide the carbon dioxide emission with the amount of passengers per trip. If you`re driving 200 km altogether and the emissions would be app. 35 kg CO₂ when travelling alone, would the emissions be only app. 7 kg per person when divided by five.

• Pack your backpack with environmentally friendly shower gel, shampoo and conditioner!

Even though we have a fairly good water treatment system the more environmentally friendly you wash yourself the less harm will be done to the Finnish waters.

 During the games

• Use your travel card when travelling inside the Helsinki region (Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, Vantaa)!

SELL 2012 organization offers all participants and volunteers a free HRT (Helsinki Region Transportation) ticket which is valid during the whole event. HRT is to be thanked for this benefit and on their web page you can find the carbon footprint of a single trip compared to an equivalent car trip. http://www.reittiopas.fi/en/

• Recycle your waste and minimize the amount of waste you create!

In the accommodation facilities, in the cafeteria and in most of the sporting venues you can find waste containers of several sections and the sections that won`t be suited for these containers can be brought to the games office in Dipoli building in Otaniemi. Additional information of recycling can be found in Aalto University recycling webpage. Recycling is crucial in order to keep the anthropogenic material flow balanced and in reducing the greenhouse gases emitted in to the atmosphere.

• Recycling used water bottles is easy!

Did you know that Finland is number one in the world in reusing soft drink bottles? Bottles are being used about 30 times and they are worth 15-40 cents. SELL Games water bottles are disposable and they are collected separately for recycling. Please return your bottles to the containers in the games area.

• Bring your used summer sports equipment to the collecting place in Otaniemi Games Village during the games!

SELL organization will collect the items in a special collecting place in Otaniemi during the games period and LiiKe ry will donate all the collected items for  development co-operation projects. More info on LiiKe ry: http://www.liike.fi/en/

• Shower quickly: save all the water you can!

Saving water has many positive effects: the use of water treatment chemicals is reduced and the energy used for cleaning and pumping the water is diminished when you`re using less warm water. Please note that you don`t need to wait for the water to heat up in the shower because the water is already warm!

• Switch off the lights always when they`re not needed!

• Take off electronic appliances when you`re done with recharging or using them!

After the games

• Travel back home as sustainably or even more sustainably as arriving to the games!

• Don`t be afraid of taking new steps towards sustainable way of living when returning to your daily routines!

Comments and questions concerning the Green SELL Games can be send to hille.hakkinen@sell2012.fi.