How to live more sustainably and what that has to do with our hammocks

Seas full of plastic, storm disasters with hailstones the size of a fist and more and more hot days - these are not horror stories, but have long been reality. Our planet whistles from the last hole. The good news: Many no longer want to stand by and do nothing. So it means: roll up your sleeves and make your own contribution to improving the situation. But how can we act and live in a more sustainable and environmentally conscious manner? We have tips ready for you.

How can I live more sustainably? – 6 tips

First of all: The topic of the environment affects us all, after all we not only live on the same earth, but we also only have this one planet. There is no Plan(et) B. Basically, it is not a praiseworthy act to ask oneself how one can succeed in living in a more sustainable and environmentally conscious way, but rather the need of the hour. And everyone is invited to help. It doesn't matter whether you take part in a floor cleaning campaign or change your shopping behavior - it's often the small things that make a big difference. Also consider: With what you do, you might inspire others to do the same. And one person becomes many. What can you start with now? For example with the following:

1.)   Avoid plastic: Whether it's packaged cheese, polyester T-shirts or the plastic chair we eat lunch in, we're surrounded by plastic. Much of this is now so self-evident to us that we no longer question it. But plastic is one of the biggest environmental problems of our time - entire beaches disappear under washed-up packaging. Our tip number 1 is therefore: Avoid plastic - and that starts with the purchase. Get a large shopping bag or basket that you always have to hand. Ideally, you should equip it with a fruit and vegetable net. So you no longer need plastic bags on site, but can fall back on this reusable utensil. When it comes to milk products and drinks, also use glass or returnable bottles that can be recycled.

2.)   Become self-sufficient: do-it-yourself projects are in vogue, gardening is booming. No wonder, because working with your hands and fresh earth forms a refreshing and, in the truest sense of the word, grounding contrast to our digital and fast-moving world. And you can not only beautify your garden or balcony with flowers, but also grow your own fruit and vegetables. So you know exactly where the ingredients for your next salad come from and you can experiment with tastes. If you don't have a garden, you can look out for urban gardening projects and not only get to work together, but also meet new people. Baking bread is also trendy – try it out! By the way: Vegetables and fruit should generally make up the largest part of your diet. Because too much meat is not only unhealthy, it also damages the climate.

3.)   Do without the car: First and foremost, cars are one thing: comfortable. And that's why they are sometimes used for distances that could easily be covered on foot. So the next time you open the car door, think about whether you really need the vehicle for your business. Many short distances can be covered on foot, for longer ones your bike is your best friend. The advantage: Your body is also happy about the movement unit. In addition, there is a well-developed public transport network in many places and car-sharing offers are also increasing.

4.)  Save electricity and water: When it comes to saving money when shopping, many pull out various leaflets, compare and calculate. However, when it comes to electricity or water, the thought of saving evaporates in many people's brains. But here, too, it is not only worth comparing electricity providers and, for example, relying more on renewable energy sources, but also questioning your own behavior: Only switch on the washing machine when it is really full. Put on a sweater instead of turning up the heat. And only turn on the light when you need it.

5.)   Fix broken things: If a device died, we throw it in the trash and buy a new one. This is now commonplace. Only rarely is an attempt made to get a laptop running again, to mend a pair of trousers or to re-glue a shelf. However, our environment does not like this behavior at all, because the mountains of rubbish grow in no time. So next time, ask yourself if you can't fix a device before throwing it away. Do you have two left hands? No problem! There are professionals for every matter, or you can go to the nearest Repair Café.

6.)   Pay attention to high-quality materials: And that finally brings us to the sixth point: The higher the quality of the device, piece of clothing, accessory or piece of furniture, the longer it will accompany you through your life. So pay attention to high-quality products and opt for a long-lasting favorite rather than several inferior ones that will end up in the bin again in a year. And: every product has an afterlife! Dispose of broken items correctly and in particular choose sustainable and recyclable goods.

From wood to cotton: Our sustainable hammocks

We have now shown you how you can succeed in living more sustainably. But what does this have to do with CHICO? Quite simply: Sustainability has always played an important role for us. Our cotton for the hammocks and hammock chairs is spun and dyed in Italy and Portugal - according to high standards such as Öko-Tex-100. The ash wood for our frames grows in Upper Austria, Salzburg and Bavaria and only takes a two-hour journey to get to us. In addition, our sustainable hammocks are washable and, with a little care and love, the durable frames will still look good and beautiful for many years to come. Each of our hammocks is therefore made to accompany you for a lifetime. She goes with you through thick and thin, enjoys the buttery side of life with you, but is also at your side in the descents. And such a steady companion that you can rely on can be incredibly gratifying. But that's another story - one best told by one of our hammocks itself.