This summer, 24 attractions and eateries in the Danish capital of Copenhagen are rewarding people for their environmentally friendly actions.
Whether you arrive by foot or bike, or help clean up trash, you can earn rewards such as a free coffee, a glass of rosé, or even a full lunch.
So, if you are traveling to Copenhagen on a tight budget, this initiative can help you save money, as you only have to pay with good karma.
The project is called CopenPay and it is a collaboration with the tourism organization Wonderful Copenhagen. It’s a pilot project running from July 15 to August 11.
Rikke Holm Petersen, director of communications and marketing at Wonderful Copenhagen, hopes this will inspire positive changes in tourists' behavior.
Encouraging Sustainable Behavior
"We can see from our analyses that many people want to change their behavior, but few actually do," Petersen told Danish news broadcaster DR.
The project involves 24 locations offering various rewards.
Some provide drinks or coffee, while others offer full meals. Museums like the National Museum and the Statens Museum for Art offer free activities or ice cream in exchange for sustainable actions like bringing in plastic waste or using public transport.
Specific Offers and Actions
Folkehuset Absalon: Free shared breakfast for those who come by public transport or on foot.
GoBoat: One-hour boat trip for those arriving sustainably.
Skurets Vinsalg: A glass of rosé and petanque balls without needing your wallet.
You can find a map of all the offers here.
Keeping Copenhagen Clean
One participating location, Banegaarden restaurant area, offers a free lunch for collecting trash from Monday to Wednesday afternoon.
Ida Marie Banke André, a partner at Banegaarden, emphasizes the importance of protecting the environment from rubbish.
“We are surrounded by one and a half hectares of wild nature, and it is rare to find a green oasis in the city. We want to preserve that,” she said.
Despite daily cleanup efforts, there’s always more trash to collect, so the project encourages everyone to help.
André hopes the project will continue beyond the trial period, fostering a cleaner and greener Copenhagen.
