A lunch to satiate the conscience
Food is one of the most common choices we make during the day - and it has a bigger impact than meets the eye. How about swapping disposable packaging for reusable boxes or thermo cups? A small step. Have a meatless lunch occasionally using locally sourced ingredients? Even better.
Some canteens and restaurants are already thinking sustainably for us: using compostable packaging, reducing waste and supporting local producers.
A seasonal, local and plant-based diet not only benefits the planet, but also our digestion, hormonal balance and immunity. Two servings of vegetables a day can reduce the risk of civilisation-related diseases by up to a third.
- Tip: In the Benefit Plus cafeteria, you will find shops, restaurants and other businesses that offer a range of products with nature and your health in mind. Search by keywords such as "organic", "vegan" or "eco".
Urban jungle on a bike
Who says the journey to work can't be an experience?
Rekola, the iconic pink bicycles, was born out of a desire to create accessible and smart urban transport. Today, you can find them in most major cities in the Czech Republic - for example in Prague, Brno, České Budějovice or Olomouc. In addition to Rekola, you can also use nextbike bikes, available in more than forty cities.
Did you know that transport accounts for up to 30% of your carbon footprint and more than 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the EU? Switching to cycling, walking or shared transport significantly reduces your emissions and supports your health at the same time. Regular exercise in the fresh air reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 24% and gives you more energy and a better mood.
Zero waste at work and home office
Sustainability is not just about recycling, it's about what we don't create in the first place. Everyday little things like a plastic bottle, a disposable cup or a useless print can add up to dozens of items in a week. Each of us produces over half a ton of waste every year.
The zero waste approach is also a therapy of simplicity. Clean desk, less stuff, more focus.
Tips for getting started:
- Replace the disposable cup with a thermo flask or mug.
- Print only where it is really necessary - ideally on both sides.
- Take notes digitally, use electronic signatures.
- For the home office, try a home composter.
- Buy supplies for work and home without packaging.
In the cafeteria, you will find plenty of ecological workshops and courses: the Jíme Jinak will advise you on healthy eating and making waxed napkins, the Liška Mazaná will teach you natural cosmetics and the Halaman Habit will teach you miniature ecosystems.
Recycling: a little guide to what goes where
Sometimes we can't do without waste. Recycling is the easiest step towards a sustainable life. Just know a few basic rules:
- Paper: office paper, newspapers, magazines (not greasy food wrappers).
- Plastics: PET bottles, yoghurt wrappers, bags (no contamination).
- Glass: bottles and jars (not ceramics and mirrors).
- Bio-waste: fruit and vegetable scraps, tea bags without plastic, coffee grounds.
- Mixed waste: what no longer belongs elsewhere. The less the better.
- Tip: Keep an eye out to see if your city offers community projects to encourage recycling or composting.
Paper has a memory. But not everyone needs it
But let's get back to office hoarding. The working day often generates more documents than we actually need. We print out of caution, we file for security... and often unnecessarily.
- Tip: Ditch automatic prints and learn to store documents digitally. Modern cloud storage is secure and accessible.
Less is more. This also applies to emails
It's little talked about, but the digital space also consumes energy. Every email, video in the cloud or unnecessary document stays on servers somewhere. And they're running. All the time.
- Tip: Try a digital cleaning once in a while. Delete emails and folders you no longer use. Unsubscribe from newsletters that you just skim with your eyes. Clean your digital desk - just like the real one. You'll not only be taking a load off the planet, but also off yourself.
Shared joys have more meaning
Once you start thinking green, you'll see that sustainability is not about cutting back. On the contrary - it's about sharing. You can borrow equipment instead of buying it, swap books, tips, clothes. Or organize a company swap. A shared coffee machine, a shared box, a mini library... These are green habits too.
How to gift differently and make yourself and others happy
Not all gifts have to end up on the shelf. Experiences are sustainable luxuries. They don't take up space, they stay in the memory. They don't turn into waste, they turn into emotions. They can be active, caring, creative and fun - depending on what you or a loved one needs.
- Tip: In the Benefit Plus catalogue you will find dozens of experiential options - from cooking classes to ceramics courses to weekend stays in nature. You can give an experience voucher to a colleague, partner or yourself. The best gift is being together. Or just lose yourself in yourself for a while.
Health can be sustainable too
A green approach to life has a surprisingly profound effect on our long-term health. A slower, more deliberate pace, less strain on the senses, a better diet and more exercise all benefit the body, mind and relationships.
Sustainability, then, is more than just being considerate of the planet. It is also a form of kindness to ourselves.
Get on the road to a more sustainable tomorrow today. With just a few clicks, you might not want to stop.
