Why is Denmark the cleanest country? 11 Reasons Why!
Denmark is known throughout the world for its cleanliness. It has been consistently ranked as one of the top 3 cleanest countries globally and often ranks number one.
This article will show you 11 Reasons why Denmark is the most pristine country.
- What are your thoughts on the Danish cleaning obsession?
- Why is Denmark so Clean?
Here are 11 Reasons Why!
1) They have been taught from childhood that littering is unacceptable behavior.
No one can argue with the fact that Danes are generally very polite people. They feel that it is unnecessary to leave anything behind because they are taught that littering is unacceptable behavior from a young age.
I have been living in Denmark for over six months and have noticed general politeness in all aspects of life.
For example, when someone buys coffee, once they’re done drinking, they will place the cup back on the table if it’s not dirty or give it back to the cashier if it’s sitting on the counter.
They will also clean up after themselves at work or school by clearing their workspace and putting their garbage into the bin next to them.
This politeness extends outside of Denmark as well- a recent research trip to India showed that if you leave an empty bottle on the street, someone will pick it up and throw it away for you.
2) Danish culture dictates that it’s each person’s responsibility to maintain their surroundings.
Danes value cleanliness and so are very quick to make sure that they don’t leave anything behind. The culture dictates that each person’s responsibility is to maintain their surroundings, so there is a general sense of “clean up after yourself.”
This is also reflected in how Danes communicate with each other.
They are straightforward and are almost always going to say what’s on their minds.
Not only do they want to know what you think, but they also want to make sure that you understand what they’re saying.
So when there is an awkward silence after a conversation, they won’t wait for someone to break it- if you don’t understand what they’re saying, then just ask!
3) The tradition of taking care of one another continues into adulthood.
It’s not just children that are taught to take care of their surroundings. Danes also learn from an early age that each person’s responsibility is to maintain their surroundings, which continues into adulthood.
Many people live together in small apartments when they’re younger, and then after getting a job, will move out and get their own place.
Even after moving into their own apartment, they still feel obligated to help out the other people in the building and keep up with the communal areas such as the stairwells and hallways.
4) A strong sense of community fosters cooperation.
A sense of community is essential in Denmark. People are quick to ask for help and feel a duty to offer whatever assistance they can.
In Denmark, there is close cooperation between citizens, businesses, and the government – everyone works together towards the common goal of maintaining cleanliness.
There is also a strong desire for equality among Danish people- everyone is encouraged to help out their neighborhood and community.
The Danes take care of one another and have a great sense of self-responsibility, which Denmark is all about.
5) There is an emphasis placed on respecting nature.
In Denmark, there is a great sense of respect for nature. Not only are Danes encouraged to take care of their surroundings, but they also try not to waste anything- every little bit is used, and nothing is thrown away prematurely.
Danes believe that we need to make sure we spend our money wisely to maintain the environment around us. They don’t want to just toss something if they can fix it instead.
6) They take pride in their country.
They are also deeply committed to their country, willing to do whatever it takes to keep Denmark clean and beautiful.
They take pride in where they live, making sure that the area around them is clean and working hard to make sure that Denmark as a whole is considered one of the cleanest countries in the world.
They are rich with tradition and history, and most Danish people consider themselves patriotic- even if they have never visited their country’s capital, they are proud to be a Dane.
7) Cars are expensive there, which means fewer people drive.
Cars are expensive, which means fewer people drive. Young people, in particular, have become increasingly less interested in getting their own car, so they walk or bike instead.
Furthermore, cars are much more environmentally unfriendly, and the taxes on imported vehicles can be astronomical.
Therefore, public transportation is prevalent among Danes, and biking around town is convenient and practical.
8) It’s all about making intelligent, sustainable choices.
Danes understand that they must make smart, sustainable choices to maintain a clean environment for future generations.
For example, when buying laundry detergent, people will consider the number of chemicals in the detergent.
If they notice it takes more than a few washes to get a stain out, then they will just buy something else- there is no need to risk ruining clothes with harsh chemicals.
While Denmark does not always have the most advanced or modern machines and technology, they make sure that everything they do have is eco-friendly and efficient.
9) The population is small but still pulls off, making the country clean.
As previously mentioned, Denmark’s population is relatively low compared to other countries in the European Union. However, despite their lack of numbers, they can maintain a clean and well-kept country.
The Danes are simply more efficient in keeping their country clean and therefore don’t waste time or resources on the unnecessary. They also utilize their strengths; for instance, they have an extensive coastline that is perfect for using marine energy while having an essentially flat landscape ideal for wind turbines.
However, the Danes are always looking for ways to improve their efficiency and make sure they are environmentally conscious.
10) There is a lot of emphasis on community spirit.
The Danes don’t just clean up after themselves; they give back to the place they live by volunteering at events, festivals, or wherever else it is needed.
They do this not only for themselves or their immediate community but also for the city as a whole and to preserve Denmark’s history and traditions.
Furthermore, they believe in being part of a more significant cause than just themselves- it is essential to them that other people have access to things that many take for granted, like healthcare or education.
Danes are responsible to their fellow citizens, which gives them an incentive to clean up after themselves and make sure that the things they use are not wasting away, which would affect others.
11) They walk or bike everywhere.
Since cars are not very affordable in Denmark and public transportation is very convenient, most Danes get around by either walking or biking- it helps people stay in shape and is a fun way to explore their city.
The only exceptions are when Danes need to travel longer distances since bikes cannot carry as much weight. However, the number of cars you see on the road is relatively low because people prefer to walk, bike, or take public transportation.
