Eat right for climate protection
How we eat and what food we produce affects not only our health but also the environment around us. In addition, food is not only consumed, it also has to be processed, distributed, prepared and sometimes discarded. Each of these steps creates greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. At Unilogistics AG, we focus primarily on positively influencing food consumption.
In general, animal meat is most strongly associated with greenhouse gas pollution and the production itself also requires a large amount of grassland, including the felling of trees. However, it cannot be said that eating meat is completely wrong and it may be advisable to enjoy it a few times a week. On the other hand, it is more environmentally friendly to produce plant-based foods such as fruit, vegetables, beans or grains, which require less energy, soil and water and contribute significantly less to the effect of greenhouse gases.
At Unilogistics AG we support our employees every week by providing them with fruit as a snack as this is a healthy and important part of the diet and provides them with more energy at work. At the same time, we also avoid problems related to food waste, which can ultimately mean unnecessary transportation of raw materials and their packaging, which also has an impact on the pollution of the planet.
Upcycling, extend the life of clothes
In the last 15 years, garment production has nearly doubled, largely due to the growth of middle classes around the world. Unfortunately, the textile industry contributes about 10% to global pollution, which is more than the combined impact of air and shipping. For example, about 20,000 liters of water are needed to produce 1 kg of cotton, which corresponds to about 1 pair of jeans and 1 T-shirt.
One of the ways to make the textile industry greener is through upcycling. The main idea of upcycling is to take clothes that you no longer want to use and reuse the fabric to turn it into something new. It is a process that does not pollute the environment and uses only natural resources without harmful chemicals. At Unilogistics AG we are currently looking for companies that provide the service and with whom we would like to cooperate.
Bio/Organic agriculture, groceries, household
At Unilogistics AG, we use multiple sources to educate employees on how to shop for household items so that this does not have a negative impact on the environment. This advice can apply to all types of purchases, examples are:.
- It’s better to buy goods that are not unnecessarily heavily packed or wrapped in material that can then be sorted. For example, it is better to buy fruit or vegetables loose rather than wrapped in plastic, as plastic in general poses a huge problem for the environment, both in terms of how it is produced and how people dispose of it afterwards.
- It's generally better to invest in a higher quality device that will last longer than a cheaper one. E.g. Investing in ecological LED or CFL bulbs may seem expensive at first glance, but on the other hand they are more efficient, resulting in long-term energy savings.
- It's also easy to go greener in the home decor if it's possible to buy a bathtub or sink made from recyclable material for the bathroom. Or it is also possible to buy a more ecological mattress that will last longer. Mattresses made of materials such as cotton, linen, wool or latex can be called ecological mattresses.
Travel
In general, the shorter the distance traveled, the lower the CO2 impact. However, it also depends on the type of transport that is used to get there, since air transport can be considered one of the most polluting. The best options are just walking or cycling. For longer journeys, rail travel is best, which not only has a low environmental impact, but is also relatively cheap compared to alternatives.
At Unilogistics AG, we have a slightly more negative attitude towards larger hotel resorts, as such resorts often use so much energy and water that it could be considered wasteful.
Room temperature
At Unilogistics AG, we are also aware that the heating method can also have a certain CO2 impact, so we use a few tricks in our offices to reduce this CO2 impact. These tricks include:
- Maintaining a constant temperature in the rooms and not switching the heating level daily.
- Use daylight as a source of heat as much as possible and close the blinds at night to prevent the loss of heat accumulated during the day.
- Have high-quality insulating windows through which there is no risk of heat loss. We also make sure that there is no heat loss through walls, doors or the floor.
Lifestyle
Most of our lifestyle impacts on the environment are in 4 areas, namely home, transportation, shopping and eating. Finally, we would like to mention a few more points that support sustainability and that everyone can do every day. For example:
- Everyone should try not to waste food and buy only the food they need.
- In general, it is better to invest in higher quality items that will last longer in functionality.
- When leaving the room, turn off the light.
- It is better to buy goods packed in paper than in plastic.
- It's a good idea to turn off all electronic devices overnight.
- It's better to buy second hand clothes than new ones.
- If you are traveling alone, it is better to use public transport than private transport.
