Would you like to reduce your ecological footprint and generally make your life more sustainable? There are many areas in our everyday lives where a small change can make a big difference to our environment. In addition to our simple tips and products for a more sustainable household and everyday life , this time we are tackling the topic of shopping, nutrition and food. Here too, there are many ways to use our resources and our environment more consciously.
1. A conscious and sustainable diet: eat vegetarian or vegan more often
Since the release of the documentary “Cowspiracy: The Secret of Sustainability” on Netflix, the broader public should have become aware of the influence of our behavior and, more specifically, our diet on our environment. Because the facts speak for themselves:
For example, according to the documentation, around 51% of greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to global animal breeding alone, while transport by ships and planes, for example, causes just around 13%. And the global water supply is also significantly influenced by the processes involved in animal production. For example, producing one hamburger requires the same amount of water (approx. 2,498 liters) as a person would need to shower for two months.
If you want to have a positive influence on the environment with your diet, you should become aware of your consumption and think about which foods influence our environment and to what extent. There is no question that vegetarian and vegan diets are the most sustainable and ecological, but this is not about convincing you of a particular diet. Because every person should act freely and entirely according to their own moral values with which they want to influence our environment. Regardless of a specific diet, conscious use and reducing or avoiding certain products and foods is the first step in the right direction.
2. Shop without plastic - use sustainable and reusable grocery bags
The easiest way is of course to simply place the fruit and vegetables loosely and individually on the checkout conveyor, which means you can do without any packaging materials. However, if you would rather pack it up, there is a super sustainable alternative to the plastic bags from the supermarket: reusable grocery bags.
Ultra Green, for example, offers these reusable grocery bags made from fairly produced cotton , which are perfect for transporting fresh fruit and vegetables. The three different sizes mean there is perfect space for fruit and vegetables of any size and the breathable material is also suitable for storage. If the food bags get a little dirty, you can simply wash them and use them again.
3. Throw away less food
Whether from private households or supermarkets: huge amounts of food end up in the trash every day around the world. The reason for this is food that has supposedly gone bad. But what many people still don't know or haven't yet internalized is that just because the best-before date has passed doesn't mean that many of the foods are bad and can even be eaten for a few weeks after the date. Of course, it also depends on the type of food. Animal-free foods potentially have a slightly longer shelf life than, for example, meat, fish or dairy products.
4. Live more sustainably by purchasing regional and seasonal products
We have the freedom to buy all kinds of vegetables and fruit all year round, regardless of the season. But how much sense does it make to buy tomatoes from Italy in summer? Or how sustainable is tropical fruit in winter?
Even the right selection of products when purchasing can have a huge impact on our environment. The best option: buy regional and seasonal fruit and vegetables as best you can. This seasonal calendar from Utopia shows you which fruit and vegetables grow in our area at what time of year. In this way you can influence that fewer emissions are released through the ever-long transport routes and that more water is not withdrawn from water-scarce regions. Another advantage is that your fruit and vegetables reach your home even faster and fresher from the field.
5. Sustainable lunch boxes for on the go
The topic of sustainability has now also reached the lunch break! Anyone who switches to a sustainable lunch box, for example made from rice husks or stainless steel , will immediately benefit from several advantages!
Not only does it not require the production of plastic, it also avoids the use of the harmful substance BPA. This is used as a plasticizer in many plastic lunch boxes and is criticized for having an influence on our hormonal balance. On top of that, lunch boxes made of stainless steel, for example, are much more durable and stable than their plastic alternative.
