five simple tips to be a little kinder

to the environment

Wherever I go, my Nalgene liter bottle goes with me. People who know me are aware of that. Strangely enough, that's quite common in America. Here in the Netherlands, we spend a fortune on bottles of Spa and Chaudfontaine. Such a waste. Not only for your wallet, but especially for the environment. All that plastic is anything but good for Mother Earth. But aside from the fact that we should recycle those bottles a bit more often, there are a few tips with which we can be a little kinder to the environment.

1. Coffee to go

There’s no train journey I take without a cup of coffee. For me, traveling equals relaxation, and so a warming cup of caffeine belongs to that. Preferably an extra large soy latte with a huge sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Extra hot. Especially in the morning, it's a wonderful way to wake up; a newspaper on the side, a seat in the quiet carriage, and I'm happy. But the paper cups rolling over the counter at Starbucks are not environmentally conscious at all. Fortunately, coffee shops are now perfectly catering to that. Buy a hard plastic cup or bring your own cup, and you'll get a hefty coffee on top of your favorite cup of coffee. So from now on, throw your own cup in your bag, hand it to the barista, and your coffee tastes much better and also stays warm longer.

2. Bring your own

Just a nice pasta dish or stir-fry before you hop on the bus or train? You eat it from your own plastic container. Take it with you and hand it over to the kitchen. Trust me, your meal tastes much better than when it sticks damply in that paper container, and you also save a piece of forest.

3. Go for leftovers

Make an extra portion of food in the evening and take it with you to work the next day. In most Appies to go, there’s a microwave by the exit. You can enjoy your leftover rice from the night before while you still have a few hours to spend on the train.

4. Tupperware

Aluminum foil, plastic wrap, bags, and packages… All very handy, but anything but good for the environment. It can be friendlier and cheaper. There are reusable sandwich bags, but an old-fashioned Tupperware still works great. The nice thing about this is that your sandwiches arrive completely intact at work, without dents or tears.

5. Go veggie

Now we've talked several times about pollution from paper and plastic, but we can also make a difference with some variety in the kitchen. By skipping that piece of meat or fish and opting for a vegetarian or vegan meal, you help Mother Earth a little too. The meat and dairy industry is responsible for a huge emission of greenhouse gases. Now, you certainly don't have to become a hardcore vegan right away; just one day a week without meat does a lot of good.