Opening on April 25, Trash! – What We Leave Behind sheds light on a lesser-seen side of Helsinki and its history. The exhibition reveals what kind of waste is produced in Helsinki homes, where it ends up, and how it affects the environment.
As Finland’s second most visited museum, Helsinki City Museum wanted to create this exhibition as part of its EcoCompass environmental program. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on their own consumption habits and consider more sustainable choices.
The exhibition features a variety of interactive stations and themes related to Helsinki’s waste. Home illustrates changes in consumption, Sewer reveals the secrets of pipelines, Waste Management shows the routes of different waste types in the city, Recycling Shop gives new life to old items, and Future encourages visitors to dream of a sustainable city.
Visitors can test their recycling skills, try a trash-throwing game, and even crawl through a sewer pipe. Younger children can search for exhibition mascots illustrated by Riku Ounaslehto: Mr. Sumppi, Lörö, Voda, Kara, and Rööperi the Rat.
Näyttelyssä voi testata kierrätystaitoja, kokeilla roskanheittopeliä ja sukeltaa viemäriputkeen. Perheen pienimmät voivat etsiä Riku Ounaslehdon suunnittelemat maskotit, Herra Sumpin, Lörön, Vodan, Karan ja Rööperi-rotan.
– We wanted to avoid greenwashing and aimed to produce the exhibition as sustainably as possible, using repurposed materials and recycled or borrowed props. The exhibition was created in collaboration with the Helsinki Region Environmental Services HSY and Uusix workshops. Two school groups from Paloheinä Primary School also took part, says producer Magnus Rask.
Opening Day Activities: Poop Basketball, Trash Workshop, and Wastewater Purification
Families, school groups, and daycare groups can enjoy fun workshops and activities on the exhibition’s opening day, Friday April 25 from 11 AM to 3 PM. At the museum, visitors can try their hand at “poop basketball,” craft with recycled materials, and experiment with wastewater purification.
Free admission to the exhibition and all related events.
Trash! – What We Leave Behind
April 25 – October 5, 2025
Helsinki City Museum, 4th floor
Aleksanterinkatu 16
Always free admission
