Winners of the NonHazCity Building Awards Announced!

As part of the NonHazCity 3 project in the Baltic Sea region, the winners of the NonHazCity Building Award have been announced. The aim of the competition is to recognize policies and initiatives that reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in construction and promote environmentally friendly and circular building practices.

The awards focus on safety, transparency, and sustainability in the construction sector, supporting both human health and climate goals across the Baltic Sea Region.

Aspiration Award: Lithuania – Green Public Procurement Policy and the 2021 Public Procurement Tender Database

Lithuania’s Green Public Procurement Policy and its 2021 Public Procurement Tender Database received the Aspiration Award for its ambitious, nationwide effort to make public procurement:

• more transparent,
• more uniform,
• more data-driven,
• and better adaptable to evolving chemical safety criteria.

This approach creates a strong foundation for environmentally conscious construction and sets a benchmark for other European countries.

Impact Award: Sweden – Järfälla City Chemicals Plan 2016

The Järfälla City Chemicals Plan (2016) won the Impact Award for its exemplary contribution to reducing hazardous substances in the built environment. Their work stands out due to:

• a requirement for construction companies to maintain material and construction logs,
• the use of SundaHus material classifications in all public construction projects,
• resulting in a safer and more transparent construction environment.

Järfälla demonstrates how clear policy and consistent implementation can create real impact on the local level.

Special Thanks to the Jury

The success of the competition was supported by a wide group of experts. Special recognition was given to:

• Stockholm Chemical Industry and the Royal Swedish Seaport
• Sustainable Building Guidelines of the City of Greifswald (Germany)
• Latvian State Real Estate (Valsts Nekustamie Īpašumi) and
  SCSJ Sustainable Construction Guidelines

Their contributions ensured a high-quality evaluation process and brought valuable expertise to the competition.

Why the NonHazCity Building Award Matters

The award highlights initiatives that:

• reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in construction,
• support circular economy principles,
• help municipalities and states implement environmentally friendly building standards,
• and create a healthier living environment for all.

According to the organizers, the goal is to inspire cities and countries in the region to adopt innovative and safe construction policies that align with EU and Baltic Sea environmental objectives.

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