Sustainability tips

FIND YOUR OWN GREEN WAY - A CHALLENGE THAT PAYS OFF

• Separate household waste into paper, waste glass, packaging, organic and residual waste and dispose of it properly

• Avoiding garbage - the most environmentally friendly garbage is that which does not arise at all

• When shopping, pay attention to recyclable products and buy reusable rather than disposable products

• Before you buy groceries, plan your meals well for the next few days so that things are not left over unnecessarily and have to be thrown away after they have expired

• Always plan a “leftovers day”

• In many cities there are unpacked stores that allow shopping without plastic packaging

• Get rid of the plastic bags - it’s best to always have a bag with you, that saves unnecessary bag shopping - even for spontaneous purchases

• Use reusable coffee mug to go instead of cardboard coffee mug

• The so-called “Tupperware” is better than cling film and freezer bags or aluminum foil

• Upcycling – process objects for jewelry or decoration

• Think about switching suppliers to a green electricity supplier from renewable energies (solar, wind and hydropower)

• We recommend Greenpeace Energy, because here you are on the safe side that it is "real" green electricity.

• Use a washing machine with a hot water connection and do not use excessively high temperatures, ideally use eco programs

• Dry clothes outside instead of using the dryer

• Make smaller purchases to save electricity in the household, such as Motion detectors for hall lights, programmable thermostats for the boiler, LED lamps

• Cook and bake without preheating or with residual heat, and cook with the lid on

• Let the dishwasher run in the economy program and fill it well

• Do not leave devices in stand-by mode, instead use power strips to switch them off

• When traveling, always disconnect the devices from the power supply at home

• Regular defrosting of refrigerators and freezers maintains performance and reduces energy consumption

• Pay attention to the best energy efficiency class (A +++) when purchasing new devices

• Electricity consultation with an energy consultant even saves a lot of money in the long term

• Instead of bathing, prefer to take a shower, but no perpetual shower ceremonies

• Install an economy shower head

• When washing hands, lathering, shaving and brushing your teeth, close the tap in between

• Press the toilet flush briefly or use the economy button

• Do the laundry without prewash and if the dirt is not too heavy, select a short program

• Always fully load the washing machine

• Use rainwater to water the garden and do not mow the lawn too often, as this will dry out faster

• Avoid lawn sprinklers in the garden - a drip hose is better because it guarantees better irrigation with less water and without rapid evaporation

• Heat less, especially when you are not at home

• Do not create a sauna feeling in the house - the optimal room temperature is around 20 degrees (22 degrees in the bathroom, 17-18 degrees when sleeping)

• Better a hot water bottle in bed than a heated bedroom

• Never hang up or block radiators, so they can work most efficiently

• An insulation layer directly behind the radiator reduces heat loss through the outer wall

• Saving heating energy through closed shutters and doors, especially at night

• Quick ventilation instead of continuously tilted windows is more sensible and saves energy in the winter.

• Programmable thermostats on the radiators help to optimally set the heating cycle in every room and thus save a lot of energy

• More space in the closet - only buy clothes and shoes in moderation - just what you really need

• Pay attention to organic cotton, this is marked on the clothing seal (FairTrade Certified Cotton, Fair Wear Foundation, GOTS– and the IVN Best seal)

• Avoid chemicals – instead consider clothing made from sustainable materials such as milk, linen, wool, algae, hemp or modal

• Depending on your talent, make your own clothes with the sewing machine

• Other alternatives are: borrow, exchange, or buy second-hand