8 tips for you to contribute to a better environment today

At Orangefit, we believe that everyone can contribute to a fitter world. And all the small things together can make a huge impact! In this article, we give you eight tips to reduce your ecological footprint and live even more environmentally conscious through small adjustments. Let's Create A Fitter World!

Ecological footprint

Almost everything we do has an impact on the environment: how we travel, what we eat, what we buy, the energy we use, and so on. The impact your actions have on the environment is also called your ecological footprint or carbon footprint.

When using a car or plane, we can see the CO2 being burned. But even things like eating meat and buying fast fashion contribute to the size of your footprint.

Why is a small footprint important?

The biggest consequence of global CO2 emissions is global warming. If we continue at this pace, an average global increase of 4 degrees Celsius is expected in 2100 (1).

Now you may think, 'Great, a few degrees warmer,' but this warming has serious consequences. Melting ice caps (causing sea levels to rise and entire countries to be flooded), extreme droughts, wildfires, and extinct animal species are all indirect consequences.

Tips to reduce your footprint

A better environment starts with yourself! By deciding what you do and where you spend your money, you make an immediate impact. And if enough people choose sustainable alternatives, the world will become a bit more beautiful on its own!

You can start today with these tips:

1. Eat less meat - At the top of the list! Meat consumption accounts for an average of 8% of total CO2 emissions per country (4). By eating less meat (or stopping altogether), you can make a big impact on the environment!
2. Dairy substitutes - With 2% of total CO2 emissions in the US, milk production is also a major polluter (5). And besides, it's just not animal-friendly. Cows are constantly kept pregnant to produce milk. How cruel is that?
3. Algae oil - Many people get their important omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil. While algae oil is a much better and more sustainable alternative!
4. Leave the car - Short distance? Take the bike or walk a bit. Healthier for your body and better for the environment. For long distances, you can also take the train. NS trains in the Netherlands have been running on 100% wind power since 2017 (6)!
5. Buy local - Flying tomatoes from Spain is not sustainable. Buying local shortens the travel of your groceries, making it less harmful to the environment. And you're supporting local entrepreneurs right away!
6. Less flying - Flying to Bali causes almost 7 times more CO2 emissions than a car trip to France (7). So, you can also make conscious choices with your vacations!
7. Less single-use plastic - Use it once and throw it away? That's really not acceptable anymore! Bring your own bag to the supermarket and drink coffee from a mug. Those are some easy adjustments!
8. Be mindful of energy use - Replace old incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs. Don't shower for too long, only run a full washing machine, and wear a sweater when you get cold. See how easy it can be? 😀

Calculating your footprint?

Measuring is knowing! There are more and more tools available to calculate your ecological footprint. For example, take the WWF test and discover your impact on the environment in terms of lifestyle, housing, food, and travel.

Eco-friendly alternatives

There are more and better alternatives emerging that make it easier for consumers to live more environmentally conscious. At Orangefit, we are always working to improve ourselves!

For example, in the past year, we launched the first 100% recyclable packaging in Europe, created our first plastic-free water bottle, and launched a plant-based Collagen Booster! We also use environmentally conscious shipping materials, and there's a lot more improvement planned for the coming years! Go Green!