What is sustainability and how can I live more sustainably?

A little history

The term sustainability was first used in 1713 in relation to forestry. Even then, the goal of sustainability was to create a stable equilibrium. This included the basic idea that only as many trees should be cut down as can be replanted. However, it was not until 1983-1987 that the term ‘sustainability’ really came into use. It was then that the term appeared in a Bundtland report. From this report came a world-famous definition of sustainable development: “Humanity has the capacity to make development sustainable – to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”.

However, sustainability is not just about a specific period of time, but about our whole lives. For example, the UN Sustainable Development Summit in 2015 launched the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Within 15 years, 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to be achieved. These goals cover issues such as Eradicating hunger and poverty, promoting decent work, economic growth and climate action.

Be sustainable with the &Charge app!

Did you know that you can also use your collected KM points in the &Charge app for sustainable and charitable purposes? It’s child’s play! All you have to do is go to the “Redeem” section in the app’s home screen and select “Do good” from the filter options. You will now see our partners where you can redeem your KM. These include WWF, UNICEF, WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME, DEUTSCHES ROTES KREUZ, OneDollarGlasses and ECOSIA.

Have you already donated your KM and want to be even more sustainable? Here are 5 tips for a more sustainable lifestyle.

5 tips for living more sustainably

Tip 1:

Buy local. By buying local, you support local farmers and reduce the amount of food that has to be transported. This will also reduce the amount of climate-damaging CO2 gases emitted during transport. You can buy locally at farmers’ markets, weekly markets, farm shops or organic supermarkets.

Tip 2:

When shopping in supermarkets, avoid food that comes in plastic packaging. Instead, use a sustainable fruit and vegetable net and do not use plastic bags for your shopping. You can use baskets or cotton bags made from sustainable materials. You can also visit unpackaged shops to minimize your plastic use.

Tip 3:

Shop seasonally. Supermarkets offer a wide range of fruit and vegetables in every season. Unfortunately, it is not sustainable to buy strawberries in winter, for example. It saves resources to buy what is in season. Find out which fruits and vegetables are in season in your area.

Tip 4:

You can also be more sustainable at home. Use fewer synthetic chemical household cleaners. They are not only bad for the environment, but also bad for your health. Use home remedies instead. Try freezing leftover food instead of throwing it away. Avoid common fridge mistakes and keep your fridge well stocked to keep your food fresh longer. Use reusable beeswax wipes instead of cling film and aluminium foil. You can also switch to a green energy supplier and use LED lights in your home.

Tip 5:

Have a sustainable wardrobe. As the textile industry is a major contributor to environmental pollution, it is a good idea to think about sustainability when it comes to your textile consumption. Look for textiles made from organic cotton, which has not been treated with pesticides. Look for the FAIRTRADE logo (also on food). The Fairtrade Cotton mark stands for fairly traded cotton and fair living and working conditions for cotton farmers. Find out which textile manufacturers are members of the Fair Wear Foundation. Look for the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) label. It stands for strict organic criteria throughout the production chain (excluding retail). GOTS is constantly improving its requirements through new versions of the standard, while ensuring that they remain feasible for manufacturers and retailers in the mass market to achieve maximum leverage. GOTS is a manufacturing standard and a registered trademark. The entire production chain “from field to fashion” must be certified.