NonHazCity 3 - Reducing hazardous substances in construction to safeguard the aquatic environment, protect human health and achieve more sustainable buildings

The project NonHazCity 3 helps municipalities, entrepreneurs and individuals construct and renovate buildings with tox-free materials in order to protect health and the environment.

Description

NonHazCity3 (NHC3) tackles the challenge of hazardous substances in buildings, building sites and building materials.

The project will develop 4 solutions and pilot them, elaborate usable protocols to get these chemicals out of our homes and workplaces, and out of the (aquatic) environment, including the Baltic Sea.

This project is for municipalities, private entrepreneurs and residents. All these groups need to make better decisions when we build, buy or renovate if we are to have a Toxfree/Chemical Smart future.

In a larger context, we all need to make more informed decisions about the chemicals in buildings and building materials from design, construction, occupancy, renovation and eventual demolition. Today, many aspects of sustainable buildings are considered in isolation. NHC3 will contribute to a more holistic perspective which we hope will be better for our health and the health of the environment, as well as being economically attractive. Municipalities, entrepreneurs and residents are not making the right decisions because they lack awareness about both the problem and potential solutions. By developing and communicating successful pilots throughout the BSR, NHC3 will offer both knowledge and inspiration needed for a Toxfree/Chemical Smart future. The 8 pilots initiated in the project will not only benefit local organizations and individuals but will be beacons pointing towards a more sustainable future throughout the BSR.

Activities

The NonHazCity 3 project is implemented between January 2023 - December 2025, and the latest publications are available on its web page.

UBC Sustainable Cities Commission is an associated partner of this project and supports the project transfer activities.