‘A visible problem we can do something about’

How has the corona crisis affected the way you work?

– Historically, we have worked a lot on bringing people together at various kinds of events, for example the Nordic Coastal Clean-up Day. The aim is to bring many people together to feel a kinship and thereby energising, enthusing and supporting each other. We have now had to have a rethink. We are still encouraging people to pick up litter, but this time with their families or those they live with. By all means, people can be together, although at a distance on the mobile. This year the Nordic Coastal Clean-up Day has become ‘the Coast Savers’, a whole month focused on removing plastic from our seas and waters. By using the material (which can be ordered free of charge) from the Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation, you are showing your support for the campaign.

What is your sense of the public’s interest in participating in your various campaign activities?

– Great. We had just started our, and perhaps Sweden’s, largest yearly activity, Litter Picking Days for compulsory schools and preschools, when Covid-19 broke out. At that time, the closure of schools was being discussed; so when we sent out our educational material, many packages were returned. However, those compulsory schools and preschools that remained open and were able to receive our packages continued to sign up, and after a few weeks, we decided to start distributing the material again. We now have over 660,000 people signed up, and the number is growing daily.

There are signs that during the pandemic more and more people are visiting nature areas and going on days out. Can a stronger relationship with nature result in less littering?

– We have noted that people are at home more and are out and about more in our natural environments. That is why we have started #hållsverigerentkvarten (#keepswedentidy15minutes); we live-stream our litter-picking on Instagram every day at 12.00. Focusing on littering is something concrete, a visible problem we can do something about. We are doing something good for nature; such altruistic activities make us feel a little better. We believe therefore that such a small act as fifteen minutes a day can make a big difference to nature, society and the individual.

Johanna Ragnartz was interviewed by Magnus Johansson Hessling, Senior Consultant at New Republic. ‘Three Quick Questions…’ is a series of interviews conducted by New Republic.