Sustainable products – sustainable living

From politics to business and even in the media, the topic of sustainability surrounds us everywhere today. But how can individuals contribute to greater sustainability? And how can it be done easily in everyday life?

Sustainability is a widely used term. All the agreements and guidelines revolving around this omnipresent topic can feel abstract in daily life. Yet, the call for more sustainability is not directed only at governments and companies – individuals can make a difference too. Here, you can read about how living more sustainably in everyday life can be simple, and which products and manufacturers can help along the way.

Bestswiss and Sustainability

From a vegetable peeler to a wall lamp to rye bread, the products in the Bestswiss online shop could not be more diverse. But they all have one thing in common: they are carefully selected and meet our strict criteria. So how does sustainability come into play here?

First and foremost: all our products are designed and developed in Switzerland. When selecting our assortment, we place great emphasis on sustainability and resource conservation – in production as well as in packaging and distribution. The Swiss production location, along with the highest quality and durability, is also a top priority.

Our Most Sustainable Manufacturers

Talking about sustainability and promising it is easy. At Bestswiss, we keep our word – our manufacturers are the best proof of that. The most sustainable among them are highlighted here. First and foremost is the Quellenhof Foundation, which is sustainable on two levels: On one hand, the foundation’s jewelry collections are made from sustainably managed wood; on the other hand, for every product sold, a tree is planted in collaboration with the NGO Eden Reforestation Projects – directly in developing countries, where this help is most needed.

Aromalife is another sustainable manufacturer featured in our shop, coming from the wood processing industry. For their unique fragrance products, founder Jürg Horlacher and his team use locally sourced Engadine Swiss pine wood from sustainable forestry. The Solothurn-based bed manufacturer Hüsler Nest also works with wood. All materials they use are environmentally friendly and sustainable, both in sourcing and disposal.

Additionally, their in-house solar system has covered the entire electricity demand for production since 2012. The foundation-run company Contact Holz und Textil also promotes sustainability at all stages of production. The company goes even further: many of its products are directly aimed at encouraging sustainable practices in daily life – from reusable wooden cutlery to practical coconut wax wraps.

Sustainable Heating and Recycled Raw Materials

In the food sector, the Bernese pasta manufacturer Ingredienza impresses with its sustainability. For its diverse pasta creations, the brand uses raw materials and ingredients from local farms – all organic, of course. Special attention is also paid to the seasonality of ingredients and creations.

Likewise, the pharmacist Beat Urech emphasizes sustainability with his Seifenmacher brand. His all-in-one soaps care for head to toe and do so without any plastic packaging – gone are the days of overflowing shampoo and shower gel bottles in the bathroom trash. Sustainability is also a top priority when selecting raw materials: all ingredients are ecological, natural, and free from palm oil.

The Fribourg-based furniture manufacturer Framo produces in its state-of-the-art facility in harmony with nature: the workshop is sustainably heated using leftover pieces from the production process. Additionally, all of the company’s products are 100% Swiss Made – from design to the final finishing touches in production.

The Valais-based manufacturer Karlen Swiss is dedicated to producing accessories from recycled materials. Whether it’s army blankets, postal sacks, or SBB seat covers, the sustainable raw materials are transformed by careful craftsmanship into a variety of items with a connection to Swiss history.

Our Most Sustainable Products

Integrating sustainability into everyday life may sound complicated at first – but it doesn’t have to be. The selection of sustainable products below brings a simple way to make everyday life a little more environmentally friendly.

Cooking, Shopping, and Storage – the Sustainable Way

Plastic wrap is very popular in the kitchen, but it has a significant environmental impact. Two equally practical and, on top of that, sustainable alternatives are the bowl covers and rapeseed wax wraps from Contact Holz and Textil. The coated cotton cloths can simply be placed over or draped around bowls and jars, keeping food fresh in an eco-friendly way.

If the food can no longer be saved, it can be properly composted in the compost bin with lid and filter from Stöckli. The container, made from recycled plastic, allows kitchen waste to be stored odor-proof instead of filling the household trash.

You can also contribute to sustainability while shopping: with the fruit and vegetable bags made from recycled curtains by Contact Holz and Textil, you can shop completely plastic-free – making resource-intensive plastic bags completely unnecessary. Sustainable storage for purchased fruit is also covered with products from our shop: the fruit bowl made from regional Engadine pinewood by the Engadine Workshop highlights fresh fruit beautifully.

Kitchen knives with plastic handles often wear out quickly and end up in household waste. The high-quality herb knife set from Klötzli offers a durable and sustainable alternative. The knife handles are made from sustainably grown Swiss red beech, as is the included wooden bowl, which optimally supports the knife’s circular cutting motion. Not only in terms of preparation, but also when it comes to ingredients, we have sustainable product ideas ready.

The organic farfalle from Ingredienza are made from local, organic raw materials. For an extra touch of sustainability, this product is also vegan, significantly reducing the environmental impact of the ingredients. And if you feel like a digestif after enjoying the delicious pasta, the Rigi Dry Gin from Haldihof is perfect. This sustainable nightcap is not only made from organic ingredients but is also distilled using wood from the company’s own forest.

Sustainability in the Bathroom

The sustainability of our products doesn’t stop in the kitchen – we also have ideas for the bathroom that support an eco-friendly lifestyle. Starting with personal care: a great alternative to countless shampoo bottles and plastic-packaged shower gels are the handmade natural soaps from Seifenmacher.

These soaps are made from natural raw materials, packaged in 100% natural cartons, and thus reduce bathroom waste. For soap storage, metal boxes and wooden soap dishes are also available. For drying off after a refreshing shower, the extra-soft organic towel from Weseta is ideal.

It is made from 100% organically grown cotton, certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard, and produced in Switzerland. For a cozy atmosphere in the bathroom as well as throughout the house, the Arvenquader from Aromalife provides a delightful pine scent. Each block is made from regional, certified Engadine pinewood from sustainable forestry and can be drizzled with essential, organic pine oil.

Makeup, and especially its removal, generates a lot of waste and thus impacts the environment daily. But with the reusable cosmetic pads from Contact Holz und Textil, removing makeup can be done sustainably and in an eco-friendly way. After use, the pads can simply be washed in the washing machine and are quickly ready for reuse.

Those looking for sustainable yet affordable jewelry will find the wooden jewelry series from the Quellenhof Foundation ideal. Eco-consciousness squared: for every piece sold, a tree is planted. The perfect place to store this sustainably made jewelry is the handmade jewelry box made from local pinewood from the Engadine Workshop Foundation. The beautiful box, engraved with a sun motif, can hold not only jewelry but also items like car keys or herbal candies.

Sustainable Travel and Relaxation

Sustainability is also important when traveling. In times of take-away, environmentally harmful plastic, especially in the form of disposable cutlery, seems unavoidable. For this problem, we offer two solutions: on one hand, the Lunch Set Relax from the Brändi Foundation, and on the other hand, the sustainable wooden cutlery set for travel from Contact Holz und Textil.

Both sets not only help reduce plastic use but also make it especially convenient to enjoy meals brought from home. In addition to plastic cutlery, plastic drinking bottles also burden the environment. The Lagoena glass water bottle from Nature’s Design, with a natural cork sleeve, offers a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing alternative.

Looking for a sustainable getaway? In the guide to the most beautiful hotels in Switzerland, published by the Swiss Heritage Society, there is the perfect accommodation for every travel taste. From stylish city hotels to historically significant inns, they all offer a sustainable alternative to flying abroad. Whether for long trips or short getaways, your luggage is always well taken care of in the shoulder bag or the travel bag from Karlen Swiss, made from recycled army blankets – sustainability and a connection to Swiss history come free of charge.