The demand for a good walking app is growing. There are certainly good hiking apps, but they are difficult to find because of the large selection. In this blog we explain which apps are the best and why. The top three look at the app’s user-friendliness, the range of walking routes and the possible costs of the app.

The best walking apps of the moment:

1. Hiking App

The first app on the list is Hiking App . This free application is already used by more than 100,000 other Dutch hikers. The idea of the app is that there is always a nice walk nearby, super fun! Are you satisfied with the app? Then you can consider upgrading it. The costs for this are 99 cents: relatively cheap, because you get a considerable expansion of the number of routes. You get up to a hundred routes per province.

The app currently contains 3,500 walking routes that are clearly visible on a map. In addition, the app has also integrated all walking events of the Nederlandse Wandelbond (KWBN) on the map. There are about 1,500 in total.

2. Experience Routes

The hiking app Experience Routes brings you more than a hiking route: with a clear interface and handy extras you can easily follow nice routes. The idea of the app is that you take a digital guide with you, which tells you fun anecdotes about the area and provides other interesting facts about the history of the places you pass. How does the app do this? When you enter a so-called highlight zone, you will receive a notification on your smartphone. As soon as you see the notification, you know that there is something to see or experience in the area!

The routes of Experience Routes are almost all free! In addition to the walking routes, the app also has various cycling routes.

3. Nature routes from Natuurmonumenten

This walking, cycling and sailing route app is perhaps the most special of the list. The nature routes app tries to give you a unique experience in nature. While following the route you will hear interesting audio fragments from forest rangers. Furthermore, the app is easy to use, the interface is very clear and there is also a clear instruction video on the website of Natuurmonumenten.

The app has a wide range of routes. In total there are no fewer than 400! They vary from routes you can take with children to long-distance hikes for the avid walker. The hiking app is free to use for members of Natuurmonumenten, which is handy! Not a member yet? Try the app for free for a limited time.

The 3 best hiking apps: conclusion

All three apps have a clean interface that is easy to use for everyone. What they mainly differ in is the type of walk. Do you only want a route and have a nice chat during the route? Then the Wandel app is most suitable for you. Do you want to go for the unique routes with interesting background information from forest rangers? Then go for Nature routes from Natuurmonumenten. By using the app (paid) you also support nature in the Netherlands. Would you rather not spend money on hiking routes, but do you want a hiking experience that you wouldn’t have otherwise? Go for the Experience Routes app. The walking app has a wide range of free routes that take you to special places in the Netherlands.

During long hiking trips, don’t forget to bring a refillable sustainable water bottle and fill your backpack with enough snacks! A poncho or raincoat is also a nice item to take with you in your backpack in case of unexpected rain showers. Have you packed all these items? Then you are in for a beautiful walk!

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On December 25 and 26 it’s that time again: Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Traditionally, this has been an important mid-winter celebration, and although Christmas may have looked a little different for most people last year, it’s still a good time to enjoy the most beautiful lights, the scent of pine trees with family and friends. and all the good food.

Are you looking for nice gifts to surprise family and friends again this year? In this blog you will find our top 6 gifts for a sustainable Christmas!

The top 6 sustainable Christmas must-haves!

Sustainable cardboard Christmas tree

Do you have an allergy to the pines of a Christmas tree or do you want to try something different to get the Christmas atmosphere into your home than a pine tree?

Then try an allergy-free sustainable Christmas tree made of cardboard. For a festive table or for the desk, you can decorate the cardboard Christmas tree with a garland or a light cord.

If you choose one of the three large sizes of the cardboard tree, you will receive 12 Christmas baubles. A nice tip if you have children: paint the cardboard tree in your favorite color.

Plastic-free, Vegan & Animal-free brushing with the Toothpaste Tablets from Choose!

Brushing your teeth, very handy when you visit your in-laws… Fortunately, this gift is also important after the holidays. Surprise a (vegan) friend during Christmas with a handy and sustainable gift!

This innovative toothpaste tablet set consists of a sustainable bamboo toothbrush, a bamboo travel case so that you can easily take your toothbrush with you, a bamboo refill jar to store your tablets and 90 toothpaste tablets!

Toothpaste tablets what are they exactly? Normally everyone uses toothpaste from a plastic tube. Besides that the plastic is bad for the environment, the tube also causes waste of toothpaste. Between 5 and 20 percent of toothpaste remains in a plastic tube. The vegan tooth brush set from Choose offers a solution to this problem. You can chew the toothpaste tablets. In addition, you can choose to put a tablet in your mouth and then brush “normally” with a (wet) toothbrush. That way you don’t waste plastic and toothpaste! And not to forget: the set is indispensable during sustainable travel !

Circular Chefs

Eating, eating and eating some more: that’s what Christmas is all about. Cozy dining that should of course be possible, but how do you do this in a responsible way? The book Circular Chefs answers that question. In addition to delicious recipes, this book also teaches you the five basic principles that help you with sustainable cooking every day. A nice gift for a sustainable Christmas!

The great thing about this book is that it also answers the question: why should people eat more sustainably? This also makes it a suitable gift for family or friends who do not yet have much knowledge about sustainability. The book has been published in Dutch and English.

Instock cooking

Another good book on more sustainable food is Instock cooking. The book contains all kinds of tips from chefs who try to help you waste less! It is taught how to improve the use of food through various methods such as freezing, drying and smoking. Wasting less food is a good step to combat climate change.

Did you know that an average Dutch person throws about 34 kilos of food in the trash every year? Yes, 34 pounds! Do you also know someone who throws away a lot of food? Maybe this sustainable Christmas gift is perfect for him or her!

ToshiFarm Brood for Pink Oyster Mushrooms

Do you also want to grow such cool pink oyster mushrooms? With the grow kit from ToshiFarm this is possible! The handy thing about the grow kit is that you don’t need other supplies such as lamps or a greenhouse.

Do you know a fanatic or novice grower? Then this sustainable Christmas gift is perfect! But it is also a nice gift for someone without experience! After the oyster mushroom has grown, it can be eaten. It is also easy to prepare, fry briefly in oil and then enjoy it as a meat substitute.

Floz nativity scene metal and stone

Do you want to complete your sustainable Christmas? This Floz nativity scene is very special and cannot be missed on the list of the top 4 sustainable Christmas must-haves. The palm trees are made of metal and give an intimate atmosphere due to the shadow effect. Light a candle or light a light next to the nativity scene for an even more intimate atmosphere.

The material is fixed with pins and are located on a base plate, handy and sturdy! The complete Nativity Scene from Floz is made under fair trade conditions in Zimbabwe.

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Sinterklaas has returned to the country with his helpers since Saturday 13 November. Are you looking for nice sustainable Sinterklaas gifts for in your shoe or for Sinterklaas evening on December 5? In this blog we give you our top 6 sustainable Sinterklaas gifts for children and adults!

Top 6 sustainable Sinterklaas gifts

Uno sustainable

UNO sustainable is the popular card game that cannot be missed in the top 6 sustainable Sinterklaas gifts. This special edition is made of 100% paper and therefore fully recyclable. The cellophane sleeve surrounding the playing cards has been replaced by paper. The ink used is soy based. The object of the game is to get rid of your cards as quickly as possible. Because the game contains jokers and challenge cards, it is possible to still win at times when you think you have lost for a long time. UNO’s rules are easy making it playable with anyone who loves card games.

Dopper drinking bottle

Are you looking for a practical Sinterklaas gift? This Dopper drinking bottle is an ideal gift to give and is also sustainable. The material of the drinking bottle is 100% made of recyclable materials and produced in the Netherlands using wind energy. Every bottle sold reduces plastic pollution and provides residents of Nepel access to clean drinking water.

Purpuz Planner 2022

The new year is just around the corner. Sinterklaas is a good time to give a new year diary as a gift. The Purpuz planner 2022 offers an effective method to bring more balance, happiness and success into your life. In the planner you will find a workbook and a step-by-step plan to achieve your goals and you have the option to keep track of your to-do list for work and private life. In addition, the Purpuz is CO2-neutral and socially produced in the Netherlands. The paper used is FSC certified . This means that you contribute directly to preserving the forests and nature in the Netherlands.

Correctbook Flashcards

Do you or the person to whom you want to give a sustainable Sinterklaas gift often still write notes on paper? The Correctbook Flashcards is unique because you can reuse it indefinitely. The flashcards are erasable! In addition, Correctbook ensures that thanks to your purchase, a contribution is made to a solution for illiteracy. For each Correctbook sold, erasable writing material is provided in Africa for one trimester.

Bambrush Electric Bamboo Toothbrush

Did you know that there is an electric bamboo toothbrush? This toothbrush with brush heads is biodegradable and provides optimal care for your teeth. The hairs of the Bambrush vibrate at a speed of 35,000 vibrations per minute. You can choose from five different brushing modes. This way you have an option for every desired result. Nice to give and an even nicer sustainable Sinterklaas gift to receive!

Naïf Natural Shower Power gift set

Do you also love nice smelling shower foam that is also good for your skin? Then this gift set should not be missing from your list of sustainable Sinterklaas gifts. The Naïf Natural Shower Power gift set contains three different types of natural Naïf shower foams in the scents Bloom, Ocean and Linen. Bloom has the scent of orange, mint and jasmine. Ocean has the scent of pear, aloe vera and sea minerals. Linen has a relaxing effect thanks to the lavender and bergamot scent. The shower foam cleanses, nourishes and moisturizes the body with natural oils. Thanks to the completely natural foam texture, your skin does not dry out. Naïf is produced and developed in the Netherlands and is 100% vegan and ocean-friendly.

TIP

Are you ordering your sustainable Sinterklaas gifts online this year? Then have them delivered to a collection point near you to save on CO2 emissions from transport!

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Are you planning to go on holiday and do you already have your packing list ready? Then we have some nice last-minute recommendations for you! In this blog we explain what sustainable travel products are and we give you 4x an alternative to the must-haves in your suitcase. This makes your holiday just that little bit more sustainable.

What exactly is a sustainable product?

A product can be sustainable in various aspects . This way you can determine the durability on the basis of the material that is used, the design of the product and the production process.

First of all, we briefly look at the material that is used: when the raw materials for making your product are scarce in the future, you have the choice to use environmentally friendly, recycled or biodegradable materials. In this way you ensure that these scarce raw materials do not run out in the future and that they do not damage the environment. You can check whether your product is made of a sustainable material at the Raw Materials Scanner .

Second, the product can be durable by design. For example, some products are made on the basis of a ‘modular design’. This means that the product can be easily taken apart and individual parts can be repaired or replaced if they are broken. This also ensures that the various parts can be better recycled or reused at the end of the product’s life cycle.

Finally, the product can be more sustainable because the emission of harmful substances during the production process is reduced. Examples include CO2 and nitrogen. This can be the case when companies opt for recycled raw materials or when they switch to green energy.

4x Handy sustainable travel products

Reusable bamboo cotton pads

For the women among us, organic and reusable cotton pads are indispensable in the list of handy sustainable travel products. With the environmentally friendly version of the cotton pad you can remove any kind of make-up. Characteristic of this product is the high degree of user-friendliness. You clean the cotton pads by rinsing them with some shampoo. Then hang up the clean cotton pads so that they can dry properly.

Full-time adventurer book

Do you always relax by reading? Then you can certainly not forget the book Full-time adventurer on your list of sustainable travel products. Tamar Valkenier, the author of the book, takes you on her adventure to a free life.

She decided to give up all her possessions and travel the world by bicycle for two years. This adventure was even followed by a trip through Mongolia with her horse, camel and dog. Floortje Dessing also came to visit Tamar in New Zealand for her TV program ‘Floortje back to the end of the world’.

WakaWaka Solar Power Bank

Don’t want to be without power during your holiday? Then add the WakaWaka Powerbank to your list of sustainable travel products. This powerful and compact power bank and (pocket) lamp works entirely on solar energy. The battery capacity is 3000 mAh. This is equivalent to approximately 200 hours of bright light or 1.5 charges.

Jungle Speed Eco – Card Game

The Jungle Speed Eco card game is a perfectly sustainable travel product. In this eco-friendly version of the game, the packaging has been given an eco-upgrade. This means that the packaging is plastic-free. In addition, the bag with cards is also made of 100% organic cotton.

The object of the game is to get rid of your cards as quickly as possible. How do you do this? By looking as closely as possible at the cards on the table. When your opponent turns over a card that has the same symbol on it as yours, you must touch the totem as fast as possible. You win the game when you run out of cards.

Immediately on a sustainable holiday in Zeeland with your new travel products? Take a quick look at our range of green destinations!

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It is often thought that sustainable living is complicated. But you will see that this is not the case. When you are aware of what you consume and what consequences your consumption has for the world, the first step towards a sustainable life has been made. There are many books that can easily help you towards a more sustainable life. In this article we list the 5 best book about sustainable living for you!

Sustainable living: how do you do that?

Sustainable living is also called a conscious life; know what you use, what this costs directly and indirectly and what damage it entails. The most important rule in sustainable living or a conscious lifestyle is to reduce, or to consume less. Consumption means that you use produced products as little as possible. In second place is the reuse of goods. Reuse reduces the need to produce new products. The third and final rule is recycling. This is in third place as there must first be reduction and reuse before recycling can take place.

Are you already working on recycling and reducing your emissions on an almost daily basis, but do you want to go one step further? Then this top 5 best books about sustainable living is perfect for you!

Top 5 books about sustainable living

The Zero Waste Project

Are you trying to live a sustainable lifestyle, but annoyed by the amount of plastic waste and junk that you still collect around you? Then ‘ The Zero Waste Project book ‘ is for you! The book consists of a pleasant mix between background information about the plastic problem, scientific research and tips that can be applied in daily life. The authors of the book, Nicky and Jessie Kroon, decided to live a month of zero waste. Less than four years later, Nicky and Jessie are the biggest when it comes to zero waste lifestyle bloggers in the Netherlands. Say goodbye to disposable coffee cups, plastic sandwich bags and prepackaged cookies after reading the 12 most important lessons taught by Nicky and Jessie.

This is what happens when you start living sustainably

“Do you never eat meat at all again?” “Do you always take the train instead of the plane?” “Don’t you think second-hand clothes are dirty?” are questions that people with a sustainable life often hear. These ‘misconceptions’ are disproved by Youtuber and writer Marije van der Made in the book ‘ This is what happens when you start living sustainably ‘.

Mary has only one goal. Give everyone who opts for a sustainable life a good response so that you blow everyone away at the next company drink, birthday or date. The book is a kind of handbook that is full of facts, experiences and common misconceptions about sustainability, so that you can protect yourself when hearing the next misconception.

The desire for less

In ‘ The desire for less ‘ the writer, Jelle Derckx, gives you a glimpse into his personal story towards a conscious and sustainable life; he started buying less and focusing on personal growth. And it worked. Jelle’s sustainable life started when he returned from his world trip. Once on the bus, the notifications from Whatsapp and Facebook flew around. Then Jelle decided to focus only on the essential.

What is essential? Jelle discovered this during his journey: it is actually a bag with some clothes and books, water, your loved one, a roof over your head, food and the planet. The desire for less. Or perhaps better said: enough. The book provides tools and tips that Jelle would have liked to have known when he started his sustainable life in 2011.

Vegan Vibes

Dietitian Lisa Steltenpool is convinced that plant-based food is the future and would like to introduce you to plant-based food. When she was twenty-one, Lisa wrote the successful book De Vegarevolution, followed by Kickstart. Lisa’s mission with Vegan Vibes is to make the Netherlands more plant-based, sustainable, healthier and animal-friendly.

In the past, vegan food had a negative connotation. There were far fewer vegan products in the supermarket. But family and friends didn’t understand vegan food either. Today it has become much more common. For example, there are more vegan products in the supermarket and more and more people are open to them. This book is intended to introduce people to plant-based food by means of simple adjustments in your diet. By providing you with substantiated nutritional information, practical tools and above all a lot of inspiration, the first step has been taken.

simple life

The authors of this book are three theologians and an economist. They think it can be done differently. Together they have written a so-called ‘Bible study book’ about sustainability and lifestyle and the general good life. The writers find it important not to say what is no longer allowed, but to show what we already have. The bible is not familiar with current climate changes, but it does say something about the concept of ‘sustainable living’. It is often thought that more and more expensive is what makes us happy. This thought destroys the planet.

This book illustrates what a sustainable world will look like by means of interviews. Are you considering whether sustainable living is for you? The book ‘easy living’ helps you to make the right choice.

Are you ready to take a sustainable holiday after reading these inspiring books? Then book your sustainable trip right away and go on a journey of discovery!

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Why are sustainable water bottles so ideal?

A sustainable water bottle makes a big difference. The durable water bottle can be used on a trip, on the go, but also for outdoor activities. When one thinks of a sustainable water bottle, a Dopper is often thought of. There are also other brands like Bobble and Lifestraw that are good and durable. In this blog we will show you the advantages of a sustainable water bottle, what you should pay attention to when purchasing and which model suits you best.

Why should you choose a sustainable water bottle?

Plastic water bottles are now a thing of the past for many people. Most people now use a sustainable water bottle. The human body needs 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day. The only way to get water is to drink from the tap, to buy a bottle or to fill your bottle with water from nature. Plastic water bottles not only cost a lot of money, they also contribute to the enormous amount of plastic on our beaches and in the ocean. Figures from the Plastic Soup Foundation show that some 5 billion tons of plastic – more than half of all plastic produced to date – has been landfilled or ended up in the environment . Between 5 and 13 million tons of this ends up in the oceans. A sustainable water bottle is therefore ideal. You can refill your bottle whenever you want, it’s free and it’s also good for the environment.

What do you look for when purchasing your water bottle?​

When purchasing a sustainable water bottle, you have to take a few factors into account. This is mainly about personal preferences, so look at what you need.

The format​

The format is first and foremost important. Maybe you have a small bag or do you like to hold the bottle in your hand? Then a small water bottle is ideal. The bottle will be empty before then. Or do you always have a large bag with you and don’t feel like refilling your bottle every time? Then a somewhat larger sustainable water bottle is suitable for you.

The material​

The material is the second point to pay attention to. There are many types of materials available, such as soft or hard plastic, stainless steel or aluminum. In general, stainless steel is the most recommended, because it can best be recycled. In addition, the following substance must be taken into account: BPA. This is a toxic substance that can affect health.

Additional features​

Are you going far away or are you visiting a place where you have to take into account special circumstances such as extreme cold? Then it is wise to look at the extra features that your water bottle should offer. For example, in very cold areas you may sometimes need a thermo bottle that won’t freeze your water. Are you traveling to an area where you camp a lot or don’t have access to safe drinking water? Then choose a bottle with a built-in water filter.

The cap​

The last point is the cap. Check what kind of cap is on the bottle and whether it is waterproof. It is not nice to find out later that the cap is not good and that the bottle is leaking as a result. There are also many different types of caps. For example, there are very narrow or wide caps and twist caps. Again, it comes down to personal preference.

The best sustainable water bottles​

Dopper​

The Dopper is an ideal bottle to use for tap water. This water bottle is available in different sizes such as 450ml and 800ml. The Dopper has a unique cap. The top is flat. This allows the cap to be filled with drink and put down easily. In addition, a part of the bottle can be removed so that the bottle can be easily filled. The Dopper is also easy to wash and 100% dishwasher safe. The bottle is made of a BPA free plastic which means that there are no toxic substances in the bottle. With every bottle sold, a contribution is made to a number of projects/campaigns. Examples are: awareness campaigns, education about plastic-free oceans and setting up clean drinking water projects in Nepal.

bobble​

Bobble bottles have a carbon filter. This filter ensures that the chlorine is removed from the tap water. This makes the water taste even better. When purchasing this bottle you get the filter, but the filters are also available separately. The bottles have a better grip, a handle and fit in different holders. The handle is very handy, because you can hang the bottle on your fingers, for example, but you can also hang it on a bicycle or backpack. The bottles are available in a classic design of 550 ml and 650 ml. The bottles are available for every style because they are available in no less than 18 different colors!

Lifestraw​

Lifestraw uses micro and ultra filters. These filters help to stop dirty water, bacteria and parasites. In this way, only clean water remains. Some bottles come with carabiners. With the help of this hook you could easily hang the bottle on your pants or backpack. This way you don’t have to carry the bottle and you always have it with you. The bottle is ideally suited to use for a camping weekend in nature. You can fill the bottle with water from, for example, a waterfall and drink only clean water thanks to the filter! This bottle is the perfect solution for people who spend a lot of time in nature.

Is a sustainable water bottle recommended?

A durable water bottle is very useful. You no longer have to buy plastic bottles, you can refill your water whenever you want (this also saves you money), it is good for your health and it is also good for the environment. When buying a water bottle you should pay attention to four things: the material, the cap, additional functions and the size. The Dopper is a simple bottle with a handy cap. This bottle is dishwasher safe and is made of a BPA free plastic. Bobble has handy bottles with a filter, a good grip, a handle and a size that fits in different holders. This bottle is ideal for sports. Finally, there is the Lifestraw. This bottle is perfect for a trip through nature, for example. You can fill it at any water source and the water is neatly filtered. The Lifestraw bottles are sold with a carabiner, so you can easily hang the bottle on your pants or suit. This way it is easy to take the bottle with you. Because of all these handy good qualities, a sustainable water bottle is definitely recommended.

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