Bottled Water vs. Tap Water in Austria: A Fact Check
Tap or bottled? A sober fact check on quality, cost, CO2 and plastic in Austria – and the cases where reaching for the bottle actually makes sense.
· 6 min
Section
Conscious Consumption
Second-hand instead of new, less food in the bin, a clear look at everyday myths – conscious consumption without the wagging finger.
In focus
Cooling Without Regret: Fan, Portable Air Conditioner or Split Unit — the Real Cost Check
Fan, portable AC or split unit? What cooling really costs per summer in Austria, what the Chamber of Labour advises — and when no appliance is needed at all.
· 7 min
More articles
The Right to Repair Arrives: What Actually Changes for Austrian Households in 2026
Austria's new right to repair takes effect on 31 July 2026. What manufacturers must now deliver, how it pairs with the repair subsidy — and the fine print.
· 6 min
Austria's Repair Bonus in 2026: What's Left of the Scheme
Austria's repair bonus is now the Geräte-Retter-Prämie: 50 per cent back, capped at €130, electrical appliances only. How to claim it before it ends in 2026.
· 6 min
Best-Before vs Use-By Dates: What Actually Belongs in the Bin
A best-before date is not a throw-away date. How it differs from use-by, what stays edible past the date and which foods you should never gamble on.
· 5 min
Decoding Austria's Food Labels: What Organic, AMA and Fairtrade Actually Guarantee
The EU organic logo, AMA seal, AMA organic seal and Fairtrade explained: what Austria's key food labels really guarantee — and where they're easily confused.
· 6 min
Secondhand Fashion in Austria: From Flea Market to App
How secondhand fashion in Austria grew from flea markets and Caritas shops to apps like Vinted – and what buyers should know about quality, price and textile waste.
· 6 min
Austria's Bottle Deposit Scheme Explained: How the 25-Cent System Works
Since January 2025, Austria charges a 25-cent deposit on plastic bottles and cans. How the scheme works, what's covered — and how year one went.
· 5 min
Cutting Plastic in Everyday Life: What Actually Works — and What Is Just Symbolism
Refillables, loose produce, tap water: which levers really cut packaging waste in everyday Austrian life — and where recycling hits its limits.
· 5 min
How to Avoid Fast Fashion: Spotting Quality Clothes That Last
Why ultra-fast fashion from Shein and Temu is a problem — and how to spot good quality in Austria, care for your clothes, repair them and wear them longer.
· 5 min
Cutting Food Waste at Home: Practical Habits That Actually Work
How much food Austrian households throw away, what best-before dates really mean, and which storage and cooking habits measurably cut waste at home.
· 6 min