The experts on our team regularly bring you a selection of recommendations and insights related to environmental and social responsibility. Whether it's an enticing book, an intriguing article, a project supporting a great cause or a helpful tool, we'll share our thoughts on why this particular piece spoke to us and why we think this particular topic is important.
Let us know what you think about our recommendations and insights, or whether you’d like to share some of your own tips with us - we’d love to hear from you.
Although I try to prioritise natural and sustainable materials in my wardrobe, I have not yet found a suitable alternative to synthetic fibres for certain uses, such as intensive sports activities. However, synthetic textiles contribute significantly to global microplastic pollution – studies show that up to 35% of microplastics in the oceans originate from microfibres released during the washing of synthetic clothing. A large part of this journey begins in our washing machines, where a single wash can release more than 700,000 microfibres. While France is introducing a requirement from 2025 for new washing machines to be equipped with built-in microplastic filters, in the Czech Republic the responsibility currently lies with us as consumers. I would therefore like to share the results of my research into possible solutions that I plan to try this year: the simplest option is using a special laundry bag, such as the one produced by the German company GUPPYFRIEND, which according to tests can significantly reduce fibre shedding during washing (for some fabrics by around 80–90%). After washing, the captured microfibres can be collected and disposed of with mixed municipal waste. Another, rather more advanced option is installing a filter on the washing machine’s drain hose – the Slovenian company PlanetCare offers a filter that can capture up to 98% of microfibres and also, thanks to its take-back system and subsequent processing of used filters, applies the principles of the circular economy.
Reading a book about hope and faith in us as human beings and in our shared home—planet Earth—at the end of last year was exactly what I needed at that moment. That is why I am happy to recommend it to those of you who are looking for encouragement or direction on climate issues.
It is called Laudato Si’ and is an encyclical by Pope Francis. It is based on the idea that “believers and non-believers alike agree that the earth is, by its very nature, a common heritage whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.”
In it, Pope Francis offers a series of profound reflections on moderation, peace, and care for our planet as a counterbalance to today's predominantly consumerist way of life. If you too need a drop of hope and encouragement in caring for our common home, the encyclical is available here.
I regularly take time offline during the year - sometimes a week, sometimes a month, as needed. Without social media and ideally without news from the world. It clears my head beautifully, I calm down internally, slow down and enjoy the time here and now, because there is nothing else anyway. As my head clears during the digital detox, new thoughts emerge and forgotten ones are recalled, which gradually bring me back to myself, to what matters to me and what is real to me and give me hope and motivation even in these turbulent times. At the end of this year, as part of a 3-week detox, a quote from anthropologist Margaret Mead came to mind: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. I enter the new year with it and continue to share it, because that's exactly what the world needs right now.
New Year recommendation for sustainable dining in the Czech Republic:
As we head into the new year, it’s inspiring to see sustainability taking center stage in Czech gastronomy. Thanks to a nationwide Michelin evaluation (first nation wide edition awarded in December 2025), the Michelin Green Star now highlights restaurants that combine exceptional food with responsible, forward-thinking practices.
Special applause to Sůl & Řepa in Strakonice – truly outstanding cuisine paired with an admirable sustainable philosophy. Alongside LEAF, Štangl, and Dvůr Perlová voda, these restaurants set a benchmark for what sustainable fine dining can look like, proving that great taste and environmental care can go hand in hand.
Surely there are many more places that have sustainability in mind, but it’s often difficult to know which ones truly mean it. That’s why it’s so valuable to have guidance from Michelin evaluators.
If you’re looking for meaningful culinary experiences in the new year, these Green Star restaurants are well worth planning a visit to. Just be prepared – with recognition like this, reservations are likely to be in high demand. Sustainability has never tasted this good!
I want to inspire everyone who likes to eat eggs for breakfast—scrambled, as an omelet, or simply hard-boiled with bread. I recently came across a great project called Vejcezkurniku.cz and immediately adopted a hen. Nikol and her boyfriend rescue hens from factory farms and give them a chance to live a dignified life. The principle is simple: for a monthly contribution, you get 20 eggs and the knowledge that your adopted hen lives in free range.
Although a ban on cage rearing of hens will come into force in the Czech Republic in 2027, the reality will be more complicated because large farms are moving to straw bedding systems, where thousands of hens can still be kept in a small area. Projects such as Vejcezkurniku.cz show a different way. So if, like me, you love eggs, send a signal to the world that you care about how animals are raised. Because change can start right now, with your breakfast tomorrow.
Textile waste is discussed less often than plastics or energy, yet it has a significant impact. In the Czech Republic, tens of thousands of tonnes of clothing are discarded every year, even though a large share of it could still be used. Instead, it ends up in mixed municipal waste.
Fast fashion contributes substantially to this trend. Clothing is cheap, quickly available, and often discarded just as quickly. This results not only in more waste, but also in higher consumption of materials, water, and energy already at the very beginning of the production chain. Alongside recycling, it therefore makes sense to focus on extending the lifespan of clothing. Sharing, reuse, or rental are simple and practical ways to reduce textile waste and ease the pressure on the production of new garments. Seeking out such solutions is what shapes my approach to circular fashion.
I want to inspire everyone who likes to eat eggs for breakfast—scrambled, as an omelet, or simply hard-boiled with bread. I recently came across a great project called Vejcezkurniku.cz and immediately adopted a hen. Nikol and her boyfriend rescue hens from factory farms and give them a chance to live a dignified life. The principle is simple: for a monthly contribution, you get 20 eggs and the knowledge that your adopted hen lives in free range.
Although a ban on cage rearing of hens will come into force in the Czech Republic in 2027, the reality will be more complicated because large farms are moving to straw bedding systems, where thousands of hens can still be kept in a small area. Projects such as Vejcezkurniku.cz show a different way. So if, like me, you love eggs, send a signal to the world that you care about how animals are raised. Because change can start right now, with your breakfast tomorrow.
Textile waste is discussed less often than plastics or energy, yet it has a significant impact. In the Czech Republic, tens of thousands of tonnes of clothing are discarded every year, even though a large share of it could still be used. Instead, it ends up in mixed municipal waste.
Fast fashion contributes substantially to this trend. Clothing is cheap, quickly available, and often discarded just as quickly. This results not only in more waste, but also in higher consumption of materials, water, and energy already at the very beginning of the production chain. Alongside recycling, it therefore makes sense to focus on extending the lifespan of clothing. Sharing, reuse, or rental are simple and practical ways to reduce textile waste and ease the pressure on the production of new garments. Seeking out such solutions is what shapes my approach to circular fashion.
A cozy part of the Christmas season (and winter in general) for me is spending time with a good book. I started this New Year with a book that I know will inspire me for a long time. Jane Goodall’s autobiography „Reasons for Hope“ is a perfect read for the season of New Year reflections — a time to think about which of our actions can truly make a difference in the world around us. It’s easy to slip into skepticism, telling ourselves that what we do is simply too small to really change anything. Jane Goodall’s thoughts, on the other hand, are a powerful reminder that even a small step or a simple everyday choice can be a path to change. It inspires me to see hope not as naive optimism, but as an active choice — one that helps us act.
January in Prague shows that sustainability in city life is often about working with the season rather than against it. In winter, especially in older neighbourhoods like Vinohrady or Karlín, this can mean heating and ventilating more deliberately, dressing for the weather instead of overheating interiors, and using public transport to reduce unnecessary winter travel. Prague’s compact layout also makes it easy to choose low-consumption routines, such as short outdoor walks in Letná Park or along a quieter Náplavka, and to lean into seasonal food and slower rhythms. In January, sustainability is often less about doing more and more about aligning everyday choices with winter itself.
At the beginning of a new year, people often make resolutions they hope will have a lasting impact. One of them may be reflecting on how our eating habits affect both our health and the environment. The WWF report Healthy Plate, Healthy Planet shows that a more sustainable diet does not require radical changes, but rather gradual adjustments — such as increasing the share of plant-based foods and making more conscious choices about ingredients. At the same time, it offers a data-driven perspective on the environmental impacts of diet in the Czech context (https://www.wwfcz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CZ_The-Plate-of-Change_REPORT.pdf).
If you would like to explore the topic in a more practical way, the WWF website provides additional information, a quiz, and recipes focused on sustainable eating. These resources can serve as gentle inspiration for small but meaningful changes
(https://wwfcee.org/sustainable-diet/cz#row7).