We’re happy that you reached our website. Here you will find a series of articles that promote well-being and a sustainable way of life. Explore our site so you find inspiration to make a positive change in your life. Our reading material includes travel and tips plus ways to contribute in the making of a better world.
Sweden is setting an example to the world with the way they manage their waste by boiling it in more than 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit to help fuel more than 30 power plants instead of burning coal or gas, as four tons of garbage contain the equivalent energy to one ton of oil or 1.6 tons of coal. However, building a system like this in a city takes its time and planning. For example, the Swedish system was built decades ago first starting at the end of the 1950’s.
The Scandinavian country has also dramatical decreased the amount of trash sent to its landfills, with less than 1% of household waste ending up there, while the 49% goes to recycling centers and the other 50% being incinerated in power plants to turn it into steam that spins turbines to generate electricity. Energy from garbage is used to supply much of the heat during cold months for around 1.25 million apartments around the country and also electricity for 680,000 homes.
Using trash as an energy supply also helps reduce having to extract fossil fuels from the earth and having to ship it around the world only to burn it. This means a reduction of 467,000 tons of carbon dioxide every year by using a more efficient way to dispose of our everyday waste. Countries around the world should stop and look at what countries like Sweden are doing to help reduce greenhouse emissions.
There are simple hacks we can employ to be kinder to the planet, from cooking to cleaning, to fashion and finance. We have gathered some tips that can help you lead a more sustainable life.
Adults today can spend anywhere from one to three hours in the kitchen per day. There’s plenty to do in the kitchen that will help you live a greener life and also save a few bucks on the way!
Reduce food waste
Begin to love your leftovers. As much as 20% of purchased perishable products end up in the trash bin. Keep track of what’s available in the fridge before you go out shopping for more. Reinvent the way you use food; for example, stale bread can be used to make salad croutons; cooked porridge can be used as part of the ingredients for baking bread!
When out shopping, it is better to get less and shop more often, than jumping into ‘buy 2 and get 3’ offers that can likely lead to unnecessary food waste at home. Keep track of where produce comes from and try to buy locally when possible.
We spend a lot of time and energy cleaning, whether it is our bodies, our homes or clothing. Save the planet, your money and time with some simple tricks.
Wash less often. We need to wash all the time, especially with small children around but oftentimes we put a garment to wash if it has a small stain. Learn to spot clean and air-dry your clothes when possible.
Use biodegradable products. Many of the cleaning and cleansing products we use are quite detrimental to the environment. Start buying products that are as close to 100% biodegradable and make an instant positive impact on the planet!
Less plastic. Our products are not only wrapped or contained in plastic, they often have plastic inside them! Start discovering sustainable products that are wrapped in paper or biodegradable products, and research what is in your product to avoid adding more micro-plastics to the environment.
We won’t tell you to stop shopping, but only to do it more consciously. Here are some tips.
Buy only necessary items. Before buying a new piece of clothing, ask yourself, will I wear this item at least 30 times?
Buy secondhand. Secondhand products can be as good as new and they are cheaper, so you reduce on the production footprint while saving money.
Finances can be a drag for many, but saving money while saving the planet can be easily recognized as a win-win situation.
Invest wisely. Instead of a bigger flat-screen TV, how about investing in water-saving devices such as rainwater harvesting or greywater recycling systems? Invest in environmentally-friendly solutions that also lower your monthly bills.
Green money. Ask your bank and pension provider what funds you’re invested in and whether there is a sustainable or ethical option. It’s time to stop investing in fossil-fuels.
Experts believe that cultured meat companies, such as Beyond Meat or Impossible Foods, may be the future of the meat industry around the world, bringing enormous benefits to the environment with it. The production of the traditional meat industry has brought many ethical and environmental issues to the table, as it provides 60% of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The industrial meat production requires a huge amount of land to sustain itself, including forests deliberately destroyed which causes the release of billions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and accelerates global warming. For example, the United States alone consumes three times the global average of meat, and swapping to lab-grown meat would reduce emissions by 61% to 73%. Moreover, animal agriculture is responsible for the release of more greenhouse gases emissions compared to all the world’s transportation systems combined.
One solution to this issue, taken into consideration that by 2050 the world population would reach 10 billion or more, is to farm seaweed which is protein-rich, low fat and rich in vitamins, zinc and iron. But for people who love the taste and texture of meat, nurturing meat cells that multiply its tissue similarly to the one from a living cow.
Another benefit of lab-grown meat is it could help solve the worldwide shortage of protein-rich foods following the coronavirus pandemic, and many countries could embrace the idea of having lab-grown beef while also slowing the effects of climate change.
