2021

2021 is here! Are you ready for more sustainability in the new year?

2021 is here and the turbulent year 2020 is finally behind us - the coming months will show what the new year will bring. We are confident that it will be a good year - with the following tips you will start the new year 2021 sustainably.

2021 is here and the turbulent year 2020 is finally behind us - the coming months will show what the new year will bring. We are confident that it will be a good year - with the following tips you will start the new year 2021 sustainably.

2021

We can all agree that 2020 was a year for the record books. From shutdowns to travel bans, mandatory masks, social distancing and more, we have been forced to change so many aspects of our lives. Through this, we have learned a lot about who we are and how far we will go to protect each other. We have realised how precious our health is and that we only have one health and one planet, which are inextricably linked.

And so we come out of 2020 changed, seeing the world through different eyes and recognising things that were hard to see before. The word "essential" has taken on a whole new meaning, healthcare workers are recognised as the heroes they always were, and the many thankless jobs that keep our lives running have taken on a whole new value.

With these 10 tips you can make your new year more sustainable

  1. Reduce your plastic consumption

From gloves to masks to hand sanitizers, we all had to use more plastic last year to protect ourselves during the global pandemic. But as restrictions ease in the new year, we should also reduce our plastic use to what is necessary to stay safe. When shopping, avoid single-use bags and instead use a reusable bag like our TreeShopper. Use a reusable bottle like our TreeBottle and just bring yesterday's leftovers in a to-go container for lunch.

  1. Reduce your meat consumption

Having experienced a year dominated by zoonotic disease, it is impossible to ignore the link between our health and the health of the planet. Apart from the enormousCO2 pollution, agricultural deforestation is pushing us deep into wild areas that were previously inaccessible. This dramatically increases the risk of coming into contact with new diseases. Try just vegetables and, if possible, get your animal products from a local farmer in the future.

Inspiration

  1. Move - on foot

Most of us travelled much less in 2020 out of respect for COVID-19 safety guidelines and restrictions. We all feel the urge, as soon as the world slowly opens up again, to get in the car or on the plane, travel and explore the world next . In recent months, however, we have learned that the most beautiful places are often not far away at all. Whether you're going to work or travelling: Walk, cycle or use public transport (if you feel safe enough). Every kilometre you don't travel by car or plane reduces yourcarbon footprint. Think of it as a chance to save money on going to the gym!

  1. Support local businesses

Small businesses have taken a beating in the last year. Many are struggling to keep the lights on or are closing their doors for good. This is a big loss for the local economy and therefore also for local governments, which depend on the tax money that businesses generate. In the future, look for regionality and seasonality when shopping. Fresh regional food tastes better because it is not shipped from thousands of kilometres away and you reduce yourcarbon footprint immediately.

  1. Reduce your electricity consumption

Phantom energy can account for up to 10% of your monthly electricity bill and dramatically increase yourcarbon footprint over time. It's worth investing in smart power strips, unplugging electronic devices when not in use, turning off lights when leaving a room, keeping the thermostat temperature around 20°C during the day and lower at night or when you're not at home. These simple changes will add up for the planet and your wallet will notice too.

Inspiration

  1. Buy organic whenever possible

Organic farmers must adhere to strict pest control standards, but they also generally use fewer resources, have less resource-intensive farming methods, protect bees, do not pollute the air and groundwater, and promote local biodiversity. And with the many unregulated chemicals produced and used in agriculture, we are ingesting toxic chemicals into our bodies that definitely don't belong. Choosing chemical-free, unprocessed foods is just one of many ways we can take control of our health.

  1. Minimise waste in at least one area

It can feel like a lot of work to go completely waste-free, but try focusing on one part of your household for now, like the kitchen or bathroom. Minimise your plastic consumption, make your own cleaning and personal care products, and replace unnecessary items like paper towels - according to studies, paper is the number one item that ends up in landfill. 

  1. Read green

If reading more is one of your resolutions, we have some climate and environmental tips for you. Choose sustainably produced books made from recycled materials, or simply borrow them from your local library. OneTreePlanted has created a wonderful list of great books about nature and sustainability.

Inspiration

  1. Conscious shopping

In times like these, we spend a lot of time shopping online. Since many shops are closed due to the crisis, we are forced to do a lot of our shopping online. Everyone knows the great joy when the postman arrives with a new parcel, but it also tempts us to buy too much and, above all, completely unnecessary, often unsustainable things from faraway regions. Before every purchase, think: How is it made, where does it come from? And most importantly, do I really need it? If you still want to shop online, you can find great sustainable products in our shop, such as the Treeanie, the perfect companion in the cold months.

  1. Plant more trees

Trees help clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, provide habitat for over 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity and so much more. So how about planting trees with us and OneTreePlanted to reduce your footprint and have a positive impact on the environment. You can help with small donations, by participating in a tree planting event or even by becoming an Ambassador and spreading the word in your community.

 

We hope to inspire you with these tips to make your year 2021 sustainable. We wish you and your loved ones a healthy, successful and hopefully a little more sustainable 2021!

 

© This blog was researched, written and published by our partner organisation OneTreePlanted. The content has been adopted and translated by NIKIN. The blog may contain some deviations from the original. The original blog and further information can be found at OneTreePlanted.. We have been working with the renowned non-profit organisation since 2016 - so far we have been able to plant over 1 million trees in various places around the world.

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