These days, the entire globe is deeply worried about environmental challenges. Rising global temperatures, extreme weather shifts, and ecological disasters like Chernobyl have become a cause for concern for everyone on Earth. As makers of eco-friendly vehicles, we couldn't turn a blind eye to these pressing issues. One might think that using natural materials like cotton, paper, and bicycles could help save the planet, but the reality is far more complex and serious.

Switching to natural materials or replacing plastic with paper bags doesn't necessarily make a big difference. The energy needed for producing and transporting paper bags can sometimes exceed that required for plastic products. People often don't reuse paper bags since they aren't durable enough. While paper bags are perceived as safer because they decompose faster and don't harm marine life, their production still poses significant environmental risks.

Manufacturers use strong cellulose fibers from trees to create paper bags. According to research from American scientists, around 14 million trees are cut down annually to produce 10 billion paper bags. This means vast areas of forests in places like the Amazon and Siberia are being destroyed for paper production.

Moreover, making paper bags is incredibly resource-intensive. Environmental groups report that it causes 50 times more damage to aquatic ecosystems compared to plastic production. Take Lake Baikal in Russia as an example; its severe pollution has been linked directly to a nearby paper mill. Greenpeace states that the air pollution from paper bag manufacturing is nearly 1.5 times higher, while water contamination is 50 times greater than that of plastic. Additionally, cellulose is derived from wood fibers, which are used in the production of all types of natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk. When these fibers break down, they release methane, a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.

Cotton, one of the most widely-used fibers globally, presents its own set of environmental issues. It accounts for 40% of the world's clothing and is seen as a natural and harmless option. While cotton fabric production emits three times less CO2 than polyester, its cultivation remains highly problematic. In the U.S., a quarter of all pesticides used domestically are applied to cotton farming. Globally, it consumes 24% of insecticides and 11% of pesticides. Turning raw materials into textiles requires approximately 8,000 synthetic chemicals, many of which end up polluting waterways. Annually, textile industries dump tens of millions of liters of contaminated water into the environment.

The Aral Sea, now a salt deposit due to environmental collapse, contains significant pesticide residues from agricultural practices, including those involved in clothing production. Experts trace the changes back to the 1930s when extensive irrigation canal construction began. The Soviet Union prioritized cotton cultivation, leading to exponential plantation growth and escalating water demands. Over 50,000 square kilometers became covered with sand and dust laced with pesticides and agricultural toxins. These hazardous mixtures caused sandstorms within a 500-kilometer radius, resulting in vegetation destruction, the loss of half of the region's bird and mammal species. Every year, more than 75 million tons of dust and toxic salts rise from the seabed. This has led to high infant mortality rates, the extinction of local flora and fauna, and the spread of toxins to countries like Norway, Belarus, and Greenland. Furthermore, cotton isn't just used for clothes—it also goes into items like makeup remover pads, which have lifespans of less than a minute before ending up in landfills.

Now, how does all this relate to electric bikes? It's impossible to escape modern technology by reverting to older methods. However, we can avoid accumulating excessive disposable items, minimize the use of non-renewable resources, and focus on reusing what's already been produced. Sustainability hinges on reusability, a principle central to our bike designs. Our frames are built to last for decades and are easy to recycle. The plastic we use is repairable, and even if damaged, it can be fixed or recycled. Most importantly, our batteries have a lifespan of 7-8 years. Afterward, they're not discarded but repurposed as energy storage units—similar to Tesla's Powerwall—lasting another 10-15 years before final disposal. Modern batteries are almost entirely recyclable, transforming into new batteries. Given the potential for renewable energy sources to charge these batteries, their carbon footprint remains minimal, even considering production. Thus, we confidently assert: we're more environmentally friendly than paper and cotton. And this isn't marketing speak—it's factual truth.