It’s In
Our Hands

Science Pool is a non-profit company based in Austria specializing in pre-science education and working with local children and young people to educate them about climate protection and sustainability. Our work with Science Pool is one of the many collaborations we do with education programs internationally in hopes to sustain our brand’s mission to care for our future generation by building a greener tomorrow.

For the first part of our series, we sat down with Gerlinde Heil, CEO of Science Pool, to talk about the Science Pool program and its collaboration with #ItsInOurHands initiative.

For all of us sustainability has become an important concept in our everyday lives – yet behind the knowledge that spurns us on to implement sustainability every day, there lies intensive scientific research conducted by ecological Institutes around the globe. We are turning the spotlight on these Institutions of Science and offering you some insight into the work they perform – today we are continuing our series on Research Institutes across the globe and are presenting the Berlin Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change.

At the beginning of the year, we often think of the many “good” things that we want to start doing. Have you given any thoughts on how we can adopt a more sustainable daily routine?

Happy (sustainable) New Year: as the New Year approaches, many of us have New Year resolutions and great plans. Our resolution for 2022 is clear, namely to make our everyday lives more sustainable and eco-friendlier. This is a matter close to your heart as well, but you need some inspiration? This is the reason why we have collected seven tips for you on how you can make your 2022 sustainable and eco-friendly.

Festive food lies heavily in your stomach, your skin and your hair have definitely lost some of their shine and altogether you just feel exhausted. When this general feeling of tiredness begins to spread throughout your body, it is time to press the “reset” button. A detox cure is the best way to whip up some new energy. The idea behind this cleansing is quite simple: true to the motto „less is more“ you just do without everything which is a burden to you and spoil yourself with healthy food, exercise and positive thoughts.

The 26th UN Climate Conference – the United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP26, has come to an end. At the beginning of November, the summit gathered representatives of different nations to come and discuss joint climate goals and determine measures to combat climate change. In the past weeks, there have been numerous reports about the Conference – but what is the real significance of the COP26 and, above all, what results were attained at the Climate Conference? We examined this in more detail and have answered some of the most important questions for you

Sustainability is an important term in our everyday lives, for all of us – however, the insights which drive us to practice sustainability every day, are the fruit of in-depth scientific research in ecological Institutes around the world. It is this research which enables us to find out more about ecological processes and sustainable alternatives for our everyday life. This gives us one more reason to turn the spotlight on scientific institutions such as these and gain insight into the valuable work that they do. This triggers the start of our series on Research Institutes around the World. We will kick off with a portrait of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna

All over the world, we wish each other a happy festive season – regardless of whether we are celebrating Christmas, or simply the tranquil and contemplative winter period. Something we all have in common, however, is the joy with which we look forward to celebrating with all of our family members, friends and loved ones. The holidays are a time to share and a time to party – and we have some tips for you on how you can celebrate and exchange gifts while not losing track of sustainability

@lilies_diary has already collected trash all over the world to counteract the plastic pollution of the oceans and beaches. To fight the plastic crisis of our planet, the reduction of plastic consumption and the avoidance of garbage is important, but often not so easy - however, with 3 small tips she shows how everyone can avoid plastic in everyday life

From negative changes in our ecosystems to plastic pollution of the oceans – the SCRIPPS Institution of Oceanography of the University of San Diego deals with the greatest ecological challenges of our times. We examined the kind of work that SCRIPPS does to improve the planet – and in so doing we also shed light on comprehensive research conducted by SCRIPPS that examined the biodegradability in the ocean of both fossil-based synthetic fibers on the one hand and wood-based VEOCEL™-fibers on the other hand.

Whether you have a shared space, work from a home office, or run a family business - there are a few things you can do to make your day-to-day office life sustainable in no time. We've collected some more tips for more #sustainability in your working environment

Since July, EU member states have been obliged to implement the Single-Use-Plastics Directive (SUPD) of the European Union. This means, among other things, that packaging must indicate that plastic is used in the product in question. We examined the SUPD in more detail and have answered some of the most frequently raised questions for you.

And here it is: the cold season! Temperatures are plummeting, winter coats are coming out of the wardrobes and woolen hats are putting in an appearance again. Now there is nothing quite like „home sweet home“ – a cozy home in which, ideally, you can sit in front of the fireplace fire, wrapped in a warm cover, eating cookies and drinking hot tea. To tune into the new season in the best and most comfortable way and to prepare yourself for those holiday visitors, it is good to have a winter clean which is both well planned and as natural and sustainable as possible.

Thanksgiving has its roots in the US, but has since become a common celebration in the Christian year celebrated in lots of countries around the globe in the Christian year – last but not least because of the good food. With family members and good friends we enjoy delicacies such as stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy, accompanied by pumpkin, sweet potatoes and other tasty side dishes. Not to forget the sweet desserts – mostly a pumpkin pie. But have you ever thought of making Thanksgiving a sustainable experience? Here are a few ideas!

Every year 12 million tons of fossil-based plastic end up in the sea. This has a massive impact on marine fauna and flora and on the health of mankind. Since this cannot continue, scientists at the SCRIPPS Institute for Oceanography (SIO) at the University of California are searching for concrete solutions to this global problem. In an extensive series of tests, SCRIPPS has now analyzed what the situation is with regard to the degradability of fossil-based plastics in the sea, on the one hand, and wood-based VEOCEL™-fibers on the other. The results are both exciting and scientific.

It does not matter if it is a Start-up, a family-run company, or a multinational company– each and every employee in a company can design their office so that it is as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible to reduce CO2 and waste. We have compiled a list of valuable tips for you for more sustainability in your company – here comes part 1 of 2.

Even if people worldwide have become more aware of the problem in the last few years, the sheer amounts of fossil-based plastic are still ginormous: plastic, so widely used, pollutes our oceans and represents a health risk. The good news: scientists and companies are working on eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives – just as Lenzing AG did with its wood-based and biodegradable VEOCEL™ cellulose fibers. Some solutions are already tried and tested and others are still in their infancy– we would like to present four of them.

Anyone who takes a closer look at their daily shopping, has probably already noticed it on some of the packaging – the new and important label „contains plastic“. The background to this: since 3 July, members of the EU are obliged to implement the Single–Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) of the European Union in their own national regulations. This means that in some products, the use of plastic has been completely forbidden or that product packaging must indicate that plastic is used in the product in question. We had a look at what products are affected by this, how this is actually implemented and how much fossil-based plastic we are still buying without being aware of it.

The leaves are starting to turn brown, the air is getting cooler and we can feel it – fall is on its way. Lots of people are drawn to the mountains, the lakes, forests and countryside, where you can go hiking and enjoy Nature at its best. But not many people think about how this urge to move can take its toll on Mother Nature.

Our daily beauty routine: for many of us our morning ritual begins with our morning beauty routine. If we think about the global crisis and the disastrous pollution of the world’s oceans, looking around our bathrooms will undoubtedly fill us with horror. But that does not have to be the case: to pamper and care for yourself in an eco-friendly way, plastic can quite easily be replaced by eco-friendly alternatives.

For many parents the start of school means getting new school materials for their kids. School bags/rucksacks, school jotters, pens or folders – when school starts there is always an abundance of cheap products around. Products, which break easily, and are often made of plastic. This frequently results in a lot of waste and pollutive plastic material invading our homes. To minimize the impact on the environment & humans, care should be taken to provide our kids with sustainable and ecological equipment and find an eco-friendly solution. After all starting school is the first step towards the future of your children, whom we should support with sustainable gifts. Every individual can contribute by buying "greener & more consciously”. Here are a few tips for a sustainable start to school.

We are living in a world of plastic: products of plastic have become a fixed part of our everyday lives. And this is an invention which has disastrous consequences. Today our oceans are polluted and microplastic increasingly represents a threat to our health. Quite clearly there is a need to ACT: to greatly reduce our consumption of single-use plastic and embrace sustainable alternatives instead. For this very reason, around the globe research continues at a frenzied pace to find alternatives to conventional plastic packaging. And in fact some very promising products and solutions already exist.

Heating our homes, cooking our dinner or driving to work – all of these activities produce emissions of CO2 and contribute to our personal Carbon Footprint. In following article, we will reveal how these develop and what this term actually means.

In June 2019 the EU passed a directive for the handling of single-use plastic products: Directive (EU) 2019/904 (single-use plastic directive). On the basis of this, the use of plastic in some products is completely forbidden, others have to at least point out the use of plastic on the packaging. The member states have time up until 3 July 2021 to implement the guideline in a national directive. Until recently, which materials are to be covered by the directive was still the subject of heated debate – now the list will be published.

In many people the summer now approaching triggers a desire to travel and a longing to go on holiday. And sometimes we forget how much travelling can impact our environment. With a few small tips and tricks, a holiday can promote our personal relaxation and still be gentle on the environment.

Climate change is one of the most important challenges facing us in the 21st Century. It is becoming a matter of necessity to minimize and compensate our CO2 emissions. After all we have only this planet and it is our duty to protect it for our children and future generations. Lenzing too has made a clear commitment to climate protection: VEOCEL™ fibers are not only completely biodegradable – with its new „Climate Care“ campaign, VEOCEL™ is even launching the first CO2 neutral cellulose fiber on the market!

On 22 April, Earth Day will take place for the 53rd time. What started as a students‘ movement in the USA is now seen as the cradle of all environmental movements and today every year it reaches more than 1 billion participants.

VEOCEL™ Lyocell and VEOCEL™ special viscose are fibers of botanic origin and are, as a rule, extracted from the renewable raw material, wood. They are integrated in the natural cycle and as such they have a positive impact on our environment. But where does the wood come from which is used for the VEOCEL™ fibers?

Pupils from the grammar school in Vöcklabruck wanted to know for themselves and so they tested the biodegradability of wet wipes – culminating in a brilliant result and a broadcasting slot on the German ZDF channel.

PPlastic-free alternatives, regional products and the appreciation of food – integrating sustainability in our everyday lives and our own four walls is simpler than one might initially think. Whether it be in a wardrobe or in the bathroom – the selection of eco-hostile products and alternatives is greater than ever. In the following, we will reveal some clever tips and tricks to help you convert your kitchen into a room of greater sustainability.

Spring is in the starting blocks and the first signs of spring are already breaking through soil warmed by the sun. The natural cycle of the seasons moves into the next round and all the signs are set for a “new beginning“. An ideal time therefore to get our own four walls into top shape, to start a new and exciting year with zest and a good feeling. And here too the following applies: ItsInOurHands! Clean and fresh are also possible without chemical cleaning agents and other toxic substances. In the article which follows we will reveal four useful tips and tricks for an eco-friendly spring clean – for a clean home and a clear conscience!

Our children are the living symbol of sustainability – they are our future. They, too, should have the chance of an intact environment like the one we experienced. But will they be able to look forward to a carefree future? Because we treat our planet as if we had a second one up our sleeve. What fears and worries will our children grow up with? Do they have a chance for a carefree tomorrow?

Collect garbage as you jog instead of running past it: plogging keeps us fit and at the same time it makes our world a better place. The combination of sport and environmental protection has in the meantime become a global trend among runners. Whether you are on your own or in a group: get into those running shoes, get those gloves on, a rubbish bag in hand and off you go!

Conventional wet wipes frequently include fibers containing fossil based plastic and are therefore responsible for the greater share of the waste littering our beaches and coasts. That is not the case for VEOCEL™ cellulosic fibers: Their composition and structure make VEOCEL™ cellulosic fibers ideal for the production of wet wipes, ensuring a safe, gentle and pleasant usage experience. And very importantly: the fibers are completely biodegradable and contribute greatly to a cleaner environment for us and the generations to come.

“90 percent less plastic waste in the world’s oceans by 2040“, this is the ambitious goal of the Dutch-born Boyan Slat and his team within the framework of the greatest ocean cleaning project named “The Ocean Clean Up“. Thanks to a sophisticated collection system, developed with the help of ultra-modern technologies, not only free-swimming waste is collected from the oceans but also directly at the source of the problem, namely at the mouths of the rivers into the sea.

Anyone who appreciates skin friendliness and easy application above everything else can still treat the environment with care: cellulose fibers combine performance with sustainability and are thus a good choice twice over.

With personal care products made of bio-degradable VEOCEL™ fibers, consumers can rest assured that they have found a solution which is equally good for the environment.

Nearly one in every ten employees in Austria works with wood as a raw material. Wood is an important sustainable and renewable resource for both the environment and the security of jobs.

A complex management system for wood procurement guarantees that all of the wood used for the production of VEOCEL™ fibres stems from sustainably managed sources.

Sustainable raw materials, sustainable production: that is the strategy that is applied when it comes to the production of wood-based VEOCEL™ fibers in order to achieve a high product quality by means of a sustainable value chain.

Since May 2020 mankind’s ecological footprint on earth has started to exceed the natural renewable resources available on our planet. And yet this is not the only reason why the subject of sustainability has become the focus of attention. We alone will not suffer from environmental pollution, the generations to come will feel the impact as well. Each and everyone of us can do something to minimise the impact. In the following you will find four tips on how we can master everyday life in a sustainable way.

Longer product life cycles, the recycling of production waste and the lowest possible use of resources – for some time now the closed loop economy model which comes from industry has been seen as a promising option with regard to a sustainable and resource-saving approach to the future.

The „Woods Most Wanted“ for the production of the sustainable specialty VEOCEL™ fibers are beech wood and spruce: at the Upper-Austrian site of Lenzing AG mainly beech wood and spruce are processed. At the second site, in Paskov, it is spruce.

With the single-use plastic guideline, the EU is taking a clear stance and resolves: something finally has to change so that we can protect our environment. This includes a standardized labelling for single-use plastic in wet wipes or feminine hygiene products. It has to be clear for consumers how products are to be disposed of and whether they contain single-use plastic.