New year’s resolutions are in line as we begin a new calendar year. Most of us have goals we aim to achieve or difficulties we hope to overcome.
If you’re a little late to the game and haven’t given resolutions much attention, think about implementing some little adjustments that will have a big impact on the environment. We must take every possible step to limit our trash, and it’s not as difficult as you may imagine.
To get you motivated and prepared to make a difference, here are 10 eco-friendly resolutions for the coming year.
1. Plan to walk or ride a bike for journeys under three kilometres. Exercise can improve your mood while also reducing air pollution.
Image Source: Freepik
2. Keep your grocery purchases under control: You constantly witness people bringing their goods out of the grocery store in plastic bags while without giving a thought to the planet when you go shopping. But it’s increasingly clear that we ought to be concerned. Start utilising reusable shopping bags when you go to the grocery store or even clothes stores as an easy change.
Image Source: Freepik
3. Switch to eco – fashion this year: Additionally, low-cost clothing enables the production of very hazardous, petroleum-based synthetic fabrics and dyes and consumes enormous amounts of fossil fuels during production, shipping, and farming. Our obsession with inexpensive, on-demand clothing also keeps sweatshop conditions for textile workers throughout the world harsh and frequently unhealthy. Ask yourself if you even need new clothes this year, and if so, only purchase what you actually require. Try to choose classic styles that won’t go out of style in six months when shopping for clothing. Think about planning clothing exchanges with friends or shopping at secondhand and thrift stores.
Image Source: Freepik
4. Reduce your meat intake: One of the biggest causes of global warming is the meat sector. You can significantly reduce the amount of meat produced annually by cutting back on, or even completely eliminating, your meat consumption. When you do purchase meat, aim to buy organically produced farm-raised meat or even support local butchers.
Image Source: Freepik
5. Purchase organic furnishings: By purchasing organic furniture, you can replace your off-gassing sofa or loveseat with a warm, all-natural addition to your living space. Avoid synthetic materials and opt for natural latex, organic textiles, and wood from sustainable sources with low volatile organic compound finishes.
Image Source: Pinterest
6. Avoid using paper: Check to see if there is a paperless option available for any receipts or monthly statements from a nearby retailer. With today’s technology, reducing unused paper trails is simpler. You make use of digital planners and calculators in place of your paper receipts and statements.
7. Move towards Decluttering: Your household possessions should be drastically reduced. Being minimalistic and having fewer possessions can improve our happiness and help the environment by transferring items we no longer require to those who will utilise them. Decluttering needs to be on the top of your sustainable list this year.
Image Source: Freepik
8. Reduce water waste: Turning off the tap when not in use and taking shorter showers when you can are two practices that should go without saying when it comes to being environmentally responsible. Using less water when washing your hands or doing the dishes can also help you use less water overall.
Image Source: Freepik
9. Adapt to organic cosmetics: Traditional cosmetics include potentially cancer-causing substances and chemicals like parabens, talc, and polyethylene. The substance parabens themselves have been related to breast cancer and may even have an impact on reproduction. What these chemicals do to the environment is easy to imagine. As people’s knowledge of these health dangers has grown, more companies using organic and natural products have emerged, including RMS Beauty, ILIA, and 100% Pure.
Image Source: Freepik
10. Make the switch to sustainable cutlery: Plastic forks, knives, and spoons are frequently discarded alongside plastic water bottles but can’t be recycled because of their size and contamination with food waste. Small, portable, and simple to use, sustainable cutlery sets are perfect for on-the-go or at-work meals.
Image Source: Freepik
11. Consider Reducing Food Waste: Food waste has an effect on various sustainability-related factors. Some quick ideas to cut down on food waste include:
-Only purchasing during the weekly grocery purchase items you are certain you will consume.
-Make all of your meals at home and consume them all.
Image Source: Freepik
12. LED lights help you save on electricity: If you haven’t yet replaced the light bulbs in your house, Switch to LED lights this year since they are non-toxic, need less energy, are entirely recyclable, and outperform conventional bulbs in terms of lifespan.
Image Source: Freepik
These are just a few tiny, yet impactful, adjustments you can make this year. Happy New Year and here’s to a more environmentally friendly future!
