In the latest episode of his Blue Planet podcast released on Monday, former Hungarian President János Áder engaged in a conversation with Enikő Balog Boros from Kolozsvár (Cluj) about frugal and conscious holiday preparations. The episode is available on the most popular video-sharing platform.
Áder, currently serving as the Chairman of the Blue Planet Climate Protection Foundation, introduced the discussion by stating that they aimed to choose a topic suitable for the Christmas season. Therefore, they invited Balog Boros, a humanities graduate and founder of VeraGreen, who prepares for the holidays using environmentally conscious methods and materials.
Balog Boros shared the background of their journey towards environmentally friendly cleaning and laundry products. Several years before founding their company, their daughter developed allergic symptoms due to a baby cream, prompting Balog Boros and her biologist husband to switch to natural products. Eight years ago, the pair established their company to assist individuals leading environmentally conscious and healthy lifestyles with simple, practical methods.
Áder, in response, drew attention to the fact that an average four-member family releases approximately 40 litres of cleaning agents, or chemical substances, into the sewage system annually. He referred to a previous interview where Balog Boros suggested replacing these with ‘old remedies.’
Reflecting on this, Balog Boros mentioned household items accessible to everyone, such as vinegar, citric acid, and baking soda, which can effectively replace traditional cleaning agents. She provided examples, explaining that a mixture of vinegar and water can be used to clean glass surfaces, while a paste made of baking soda and vinegar serves as a ‘perfect’ bathroom cleaner.
Vinegar, on its own, acts as an excellent limescale remover and can even be used in the washing machine instead of fabric softener.
The former President also addressed the excessive use of packaging materials during the holiday season. He noted that in the United Kingdom, the wrapping paper used in December alone could circle the equator nine times. In Hungary, each person generates 95 kilograms of paper waste annually, with half of it being packaging material.
Enikő Balog Boros also recommended some environmentally friendly ways to wrap gifts, proposing the use of simple, recyclable craft paper instead of hard-to-recycle coloured papers. This can be adorned with winter motifs and stamps to create a festive look. Additionally, gifts can be presented in reusable textile bags or scarves, also bearing in mind sustainability.
The insightful conversation highlights the importance of environmentally conscious practices during the holiday season, encouraging individuals to embrace frugal and sustainable choices in their preparations.
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