zero waste - AlterNativa3

Tag: zero waste

Christmas without waste

Posted on by factoria

Author: Eugenia González.

Enjoying Christmas and at the same time practising responsible consumption, Fair Trade and Zero Waste seems impossible. But is it? Here's another way to celebrate the holidays.

Christmas another year. You look forward to it, it's a special time. But at the same time there are so many things to do: commitments, shopping, invitations... let's face it, celebrating Christmas is a lot of work.. But we like it, especially if there are children in the house. 

And in the midst of all this, the question: can I celebrate the holidays in a way that aligns with my values? Enjoyment, while at the same time not falling into consumerism and wastefulness? Yes, of course!

Christmas is a special time. But it is still a succession of days with their little everyday decisions. You can opt for a conventional product, or you can choose a more ethical and sustainable option. 

You know, your power as a consumer is very great. And precisely because Christmas is a time of heavy consumption, it is an ideal time to practice Fair Trade, responsible shopping and Zero Waste. 

But how to take action? Here are some practical ideas:

  • Responsible gifts
  • Christmas recipes with Fair Trade products 
  • Strategies for Zero Waste Parties

Responsible Gifts

Yes, gift giving is one of the most beautiful and rewarding acts. But sometimes it takes a lot of effort to find the perfect gift, to make the recipient happy. Not to mention all those situations in which we give gifts out of affection... but also a little out of commitment. 

As a gift... why not give Fair Trade products? They are of high quality, they guarantee that the people who produce them have received a fair payment for their work and that the environment has been protected in their manufacture. What more could you ask for?

Fair Trade Coffee

  • Fair trade shops. Do you know what the first shops specialised in Fair Trade products were considered to be? Gift shops (because there you could find a great variety of exotic, handmade and precious items). Nowadays, there are more than 100 Fair Trade shops in Spain. You will find gifts to suit all tastes: handicrafts, jewellery, clothes, stationery, decorative objects, toys... even mobiles.

At the beginning of December I usually go to one of these shops and, in a single afternoon, I order all the presents for Father Christmas and the Three Wise Men.

Looking for a Fairtrade shop near you? Here you will find more than 100:

https://comerciojusto.org/tiendas/

Do you prefer online shopping? Here are 16 specialised Fair Trade portals:

https://comerciojusto.org/tiendas/tiendas-on-line/

  • When I have an engagement and I don't know the person too well, I opt for Fairtrade gift packs: who doesn't like a good coffee, a nice chocolate, a delicious hot chocolate? On the AlterNativa3 website you can find cool and complete gift packs:

https://alternativa3.bio/navidad.html

  • And what do we do with all those occasions when we don't know what to give? You know, the "Secret Santa", the cousin you see a couple of times a year... and those people you love a lot, but who are very difficult to please. In these cases, I am a firm advocate of gift vouchers. 

When you buy something out of pure commitment, without knowing whether it will be liked, you risk that the item will not be used. That's a shame, a waste... don't you think? With a gift voucher, on the other hand, the person buys what they like... and everyone is happy. And I'll let you in on a secret: I love receiving gift vouchers.

The usual recipes... with Fairtrade ingredients

As you know, Fairtrade does not propose that you radically change all your consumption habits. It invites you to replace your usual consumer products with more ethical and sustainable options. 

If during the year you take care of yourself, buy organic products, opt for Fair Trade... why not do it during Christmas? It's clear to me: they are special holidays, but I still do the things that I like and that feel good to me.

Here are three Christmas recipes. They are ideal for the whole family to enjoy.

  • Crunchy chocolate nougat. Low in sugar, intense chocolate flavour... and vegan!

https://alternativa3.com/turron-de-chocolate-vegano/

  • Marzipan: you only need eggs, ground almonds, sugar... and a lot of love. A super-easy recipe, ideal to make with the little ones at home and to explain to them what Fair Trade is. 

https://alternativa3.com/receta-mazapan/

  • These biscuits are our favourite. Honestly? We make them all year round, but at Christmas we bake them in the shape of a star to make it more festive.

https://alternativa3.com/receta-de-galletas-cacao-maca-jengibre/

Zero Waste Christmas

Zero Waste is a philosophy that aims to reduce the waste you generate as much as possible. Let's face it, at Christmas that seems impossible... but it's not. 

I have been practising the Zero Waste and, after a couple of Christmases, these are my tricks:

  • Use cotton bags when you go shopping (for fruit and vegetables, cereals, dried fruit and nuts...) This way you won't waste the ones from the supermarket and you will generate less waste. 
  • If you buy a packaged product, prioritise brands that use biodegradable materials in their packaging.  
  • Reuse all paper. Gift wrapping paper, boxes in which orders are delivered... use them to make crafts. I, for example, cut all the paper into more or less equal rectangles. I attach them with a very large paper clip and I get a very rustic-looking notepad that looks really nice. The notepads I make at Christmas... they last me all year long! 
  • How about giving Zero Waste products as a gift? Many people are curious, but it's a mountain to climb and they don't know where to start. Why not help them with some cotton bags for the grocery shopping? Or a pack of bamboo toothbrushes? Or a nice stainless steel bottle so they can forget about single-use plastic bottles once and for all?

Here is a link to some great Zero Waste gift ideas: 

https://alternativa3.bio/catalogsearch/result/?q=botellas

Zero Waste - AlterNativa3

Merry Christmas... but for all of you

Personally, I find Christmas a slightly stressful time of year... Very beautiful, yes, but full of commitments. That's why I've been looking for a way to enjoy Christmas in my own way. I want the actions I do during these days to be aligned with my values: Fair Trade, responsible consumption and Zero Waste. 

Reducing, recycling, shopping more consciously... every gesture adds up. It's a very powerful form of activism. It makes me feel good about myself. And I know it has an impact on the living conditions of others. And also for the planet. 

How about a responsible Christmas? It's just a matter of substituting some actions for others... but the result is very different. But just as much fun. 

Merry Christmas.

How much coffee can I drink each day?

Posted on by factoria

Author: Eugenia González.

Is coffee a healthy drink? What is the daily amount of coffee recommended by health professionals? What kind of coffee will suit me best? In this post you will find all the answers you need to enjoy this special treat.

I love coffee, but sometimes I read information that makes me doubt. Is it really a healthy drink? Maybe I should switch to herbal teas... But I like it so much! I have informed myself and found a lot of reasons to stick to coffee. 

However, in order to enjoy it safely, it is necessary to comply with a series of conditions regarding its cultivation, roasting and processing. 

Here I tell you all about it so you can decide what kind of coffee you want to drink.

Why do we love coffee so much?

Because it is a unique product. It is a drink with an unmistakable aroma and flavour... 

Nothing compares to a freshly brewed coffee in the morning. And what about those coffee breaks during the working day? Spending an after-dinner drink with coffee and good company is one of life's simple and wonderful pleasures. 

Coffee invigorates, comforts, its taste and aroma are delicious... and it is integrated into our daily lives. That's why it's hard to imagine life without it.

tasty coffee

Why do I need to drink coffee?

Caffeine is the most widely consumed stimulant substance in the world (it is found in coffee, tea, mate, cola and energy drinks).

Caffeine has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. After drinking coffee you feel more energetic, more alert. Many studies show that moderate doses of caffeine can help improve cognitive and physical arousal levels. It even improves work performance.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) does not consider caffeine to be a drug that creates dependence. But we all know the reality: if you drink coffee regularly and stop drinking it, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. In some cases it is short and mild, but some people notice it a lot. 

How do you cope with a morning without coffee?

Is it a healthy drink?

Yes, it is a drink with many health benefits. However, as it is very tonic and invigorating, it is important to consume it in moderation.

Benefits of Fairtrade coffee

What are the contraindications of coffee?

The first is not to drink it after lunchtime. Caffeine in the afternoon will affect the quality of your night's sleep.

Important: too much coffee can be bad for your bones. Studies show that caffeine can affect the absorption of calcium in the intestine and accelerate its expulsion. Women aged 50 and over are advised to moderate their coffee consumption. 

How much coffee can I drink each day?

It is suggested not to exceed a dose of 4 cups a day (although, of course, an espresso from a bar is not the same as a soluble coffee prepared at home...).  

If you exceed the recommended amounts, you will notice contraindications: nervousness, insomnia, heartburn. 

But hey, in the end, I think it's very important to listen to your own body. There will be days when you'll feel you need a little extra energy and you'll want another coffee. But maybe on a quiet Sunday at home you'll have enough with just one cup in the morning.

As with so many other products, the key to enjoyment is moderation.

WHICH COFFEE WILL SUIT ME BEST?

First of all, it must be environmentally friendly. It is very important that no chemicals have been used in their cultivation or processing. The only healthy coffee will be organic coffee. 

Secondly, it is very important that it is not roasted. This refers to the type of roasting (a fundamental step in the production of any coffee). Roasted coffees add sugar during the production process. Do you know the disadvantages of white sugar? Well, they are all present in any roasted coffee. Don't drink it. 

Natural roasting, on the other hand, roasts the coffee only with hot air, without adding anything else.

Fairtrade organic and natural roast coffees
Fairtrade coffee is the only ethical and sustainable option.

What is an origin coffee?

I am a coffee lover and I like to prepare my coffee at home. That's why I like origin coffees. And you, do you have a favourite coffee?

When we talk about origin coffee, we mean a bean that comes from a specific country, region or producer. There are no blends, but you can fully enjoy coffee from a specific area.

Just as when buying a wine you may want a Denominación de Origen from La Rioja for the nuances that characterise the area, you may like Colombian coffee more for its flavour and aroma. There are many quality origins. 

AlterNativa3 focuses on the bean from certain countries that are already renowned for their coffee growing tradition: Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, Chiapas, Nicaragua...

  • Nicaraguan coffee is smooth, creamy and sweet, with a warm aroma of cocoa...
  • Colombian coffee is recognised all over the world as a high quality product because of its taste and aroma. I like it, I find it a bit stronger. It is ideal for gourmet palates.
  • What about Guatemalan coffee? It is one of the most renowned for its exceptional quality and taste. It is my favourite: it has an aroma of cocoa and caramel, and in its flavour you will find notes of chocolate, almonds and nuts. If you haven't tried it, I recommend it.

Fancy a coffee?

Why is it better to choose Fair Trade coffee?

  • The first product traded in the world is oil. The second is coffee
  • Every day, 1,400,000,000,000 cups are drunk in the world. Yes, 1.4 billion cups...
  • Coffee is worth some $71 billion annually.

But...

  • Coffee is one of the products that generates the most injustice and inequality worldwide. 

That's why the most ethical and sustainable alternative is to consume Fairtrade coffee. 

Fair Trade products ensure that the producers, grouped in cooperatives, receive a fair payment for their work. In addition, the Fair Trade label certifies that they have been produced according to sustainability criteria, i.e. protecting the planet.

AlterNativa3 at the BioCultura Seville 2019 trade fair
ALL AlterNativa3 coffees are organic and Fair Trade.

When you go to AlterNativa3 you are always greeted with a coffee and a smile.

At AlterNativa3 they are experts in coffee making. Visiting them is an experience in itself. 

Downstairs is the warehouse, full of rich products. The office is above it. The aroma of coffee, cocoa and sweet and aromatic products wafts up to the office and makes you smile. 

When they start talking about coffee, you can tell they could go on for hours. They know everything, they explain all the details, it's their job... 

That's why their coffees are so special.

Fair Trade Company in Spain
AlterNativa3 is a family cooperative based in Terrassa. Since its beginnings in 1992 they have been committed to Fair Trade products.

What I am clear about Fairtrade Coffee

Fair Trade is a tool to build a more critical society and a fairer world. 

In a world where there are governments and institutions determined to make you believe that the only way to be part of public life is by voting once every 4 years, or by giving money to NGOs, I know there is something else we can do: replace everyday consumer products with more ethical and sustainable alternatives. These are powerful actions, with a direct impact, that you can do on a DAILY basis.

That's why I suggest you switch to Fairtrade Coffee. It's a powerful action you can take every day and make a real impact TODAY.

Show me Fairtrade coffees

As you know, AlterNativa3 are expert coffee growers. They buy the coffee beans from cooperatives in Southern countries, bring them to Spain and take care of the elaboration with great care and skill. As they are experts, their coffees are very special. On her blog you will find delicious and original recipes with organic and Fairtrade coffee.

Do you want to know more about Coffee? This AlterNativa3 Blog is a mine of information 😊.

How to start (today) with Zero Waste

Posted on by factoria

Author: Eugenia González.

What does Zero Waste mean, can you really live without waste, what can you do to avoid single-use plastic, and what is the relationship between Fair Trade and Zero Waste? And what is the relationship between Fair Trade and Zero Waste?

You've heard of Zero Waste, a philosophy of life that aims to reduce the waste you generate every day.

You find it logical, you see that it is necessary. But it becomes a mountain.

How can we reduce the amount of plastic in food packaging, and is it possible to combine the rush of modern life with the planning it requires?

You can imagine that perhaps a person living alone can more easily control the waste he or she generates. But what about a family?

I'll tell you:

I have been at Zero Waste for a year and a half. I do the best I can and, it's true, sometimes it's complicated... But I have found a practical way to live Zero Waste without being overwhelmed.

Here I explain 2 concrete and easy actions to get you started today. Really, Yes, it can.

Zero Waste - AlterNativa3

What is Zero Waste?

Zero Waste is a philosophy that proposes the need to reduce your footprint on the planet. Therefore, what it proposes is that you reduce the waste you generate.

How can a (normal) person practice Zero Waste?

To take action, Zero Waste recommends the 4Rs strategy:

  1. Reject
  2. Reduce
  3. Reuse
  4. Recycle

Many people and companies believe that, if we generate waste, the best solution is to Recycle.

But, if you look closely, recycling is not the first R... it's the last one! Why? Because recycling requires energy and also pollutes. And it means that we accept the current production model (which is not sustainable).

You see, don't you? Recycling all the rubbish is not the solution (and, in the long run, it is impossible).

Waste Waste generated by a Spaniard every day 1.0

How can I practice the 4Rs?

With patience and humour. You'll see, it's quite a change.

  • Reject. In other words, to say no.

That flyer you get on the street that you won't read? The calendar you get that you don't need? The takeaway coffee lid? Smile, but say no. Benefits? Less rubbish, more awareness and a brutal feeling of lightness.

  • Reduce. That is the key to responsible consumption. Buy only what you need.

This one really revolutionised my life. Apart from the savings, when you start buying only what you need, you feel a peace of mind that is incomparable.

  • Reuse. This is very interesting and will open up a world of possibilities. Bartering, second-hand shops, flea markets...

Now, before I buy something new, I send a WhatsApp message to my family: Does anyone have a spare rucksack? Who can lend me the drill for an afternoon?

Yesterday my mother gave me a tablecloth and 6 super nice napkins that I had forgotten in a drawer. Most people are delighted when they can give away things they don't use and free up space in their house.

It's quite an adventure and giving things a second (or third, or fourth life) will give you great personal satisfaction. 

  • Recycle. You already know that one.

Zero Waste and the 2030 Agenda -

 

Many people believe that the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda depend only on governments or companies.

They see the Goals as distant and feel powerless, because they do not know how to contribute.

But there are many concrete actions you can take today. One of the most powerful of these is Zero Waste.

 

Is there a link between Zero Waste and Fair Trade?

When I first became interested in Fair Trade I saw that many companies trading Fair Trade products also offered Zero Waste products.

At first I didn't understand it. I even thought it was some kind of marketing strategy. But now I see that the situation is very different.

Fair Trade and Zero Waste have the same objective and are two paths that lead to the same solution.

  • Do you remember what Zero Waste proposes? To change habits in your daily life to reduce your waste. With what aim? To protect people and the environment.
  • What does Fair Trade offer you?To change some of your shopping habits and replace commonly consumed products with more ethical and sustainable alternatives. With what aim? To protect people and the environment.

In short, they both seek Sustainable Development. 

In the end, it is all about practical strategies to achieve what is absolutely necessary:

  • Eradicating hunger
  • Curbing climate change
  • Creating a fairer world

How to get started with Zero Waste?

First phase: water bottle and cotton bags.

Really, that's how I started.

I made it easy for myself, I didn't want to do everything at once and, step by step, I expanded my actions.

The water bottle

Do you know how many plastic bottles are bought EVERY SECOND in the world? 20 000.

You probably carry a bottle of water in your bag or rucksack. Or you have one at your workplace, next to your computer. Replace it with a non-disposable one.

I started with the glass ones, but they were too heavy (and yes, one day one of them broke in my bag and it was quite a story).

Now I use these from AlterNativa3They keep the cold for 24h, keep the heat for 12h, you have several sizes and a lot of cool designs.

Cans and bottles of AlterNativa3

Cotton bags

They are useful for not using bags from supermarkets, greengrocers, etc. Small ones for cereals and nuts, larger ones for vegetables or bread...

You can buy them, sew your own with any piece of fabric you have at home...

Or, the simplest option, the one I started with: reusing the bags I was given at the supermarket. It's as simple as that.

Later on, you may want to buy others. I like the ones in the photo.

AlterNativa3 bags

 

 

They are made in India by the fair trade organisation Fair Gift. With the purchase of this bag you contribute to the women who make them to have better living conditions thanks to the fruit of their work.

They are handmade, hard-wearing and 100% cotton.

 

 

Shall we take action?

If I've been able to do it, so can you. The trick? Start small, work your way up to something easy. Don't get overwhelmed.

One day, take the cloth bags to the supermarket and see how you feel. If another day you're in a hurry and leave them at home, that's fine. Don't get discouraged. Take them the next day.

I practice Zero Waste. I do it very imperfectly, but I do it. I made the commitment a year and a half ago and I'm still making progress.

Remember: reusable bottle, cotton bags and bar of soap. With these three elements you can revolutionise the world. Where do you want to start?

If you need more information, here is a list of resources:

First, the books:

  • I started with this one, a little gem: "Living without plastic: Tips, experiences and ideas to give the planet a break" (Zenith Green, 2019). The authors, Patricia Reina and Fernando Gómez, are a couple and they explain how to make the transition to living without plastic (with a lot of humour and common sense).

 

  • One of the driving forces behind the Zero Waste movement is Bea Johnson, a mother who explained in her blog her journey to live as a family and reduce the waste they generated as much as possible. The blog became this book: "Residuo Cero En Casa. Guía doméstica para simplificar nuestra vida" In Spanish it was published by Pol-len edicions (El Tinter SAL).

 

  • And finally, "Y NOW WHAT DO I DO: How to avoid climate guilt and take action". In this book from 2021, published by Capitán Swing, environmentalist Andreu Escrivà analyses the current situation and provides you with food for thought.

 

Responsible shopping:

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Alternativa 3 S.C.C.L. ha participado en el Programa de Iniciación a la Exportación ICEX-Next, y ha contado con el apoyo de ICEX, así como con la cofinanciación de Fondos europeos FEDER, habiendo contribuido según la medida de los mismos, al crecimiento económico de esta empresa, su región y de España en su conjunto.
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