A Greener New Year: 9 Eco-Friendly New Year’s Resolution Ideas

Whether it’s creating a clean-up group in your neighborhood or planting pollinator-friendly plants in your garden, there are a variety of ways to have a positive impact on the environment this new year.

Even the smallest of changes can instill positive change in your community. Keep reading to discover 9 eco-friendly New Year’s resolutions ideas that will aid you in your mission to help the planet.

9 Eco-Friendly New Year’s Resolution Ideas for 2023

When it comes to making New Year’s resolutions, it’s important to keep your goals measurable, realistic and specific. The same applies for setting eco-friendly goals. For example, if you are interested in cutting down on your driving emissions, driving X miles per week is more measurable and specific, and probably more realistic, than cutting out driving altogether.

To make it even easier for you to keep track and manage all your resolutions, we’ve created a printable New Year’s resolution template you can use at home!

Download and Print the 2023 New Year’s Resolution Template

1. Stay hydrated with a reusable water bottle

According to Earthday.org, The average American uses 156 plastic bottles annually. By switching to a reusable water bottle, you can cut down on your plastic waste and continue to meet your hydration goals.

As a reminder, the average person should be drinking enough water to hydrate their body every day. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average man should be drinking 15.5 cups (124 ounces) of fluids per day, while the average women should be getting 11.5 cups (92 oz.) of fluids per day.

2. Shop sustainably with a reusable grocery bag

Another item you can purchase to start leading an eco-friendlier life is a reusable grocery bag. Reusable bags are a great alternative to plastic shopping bags. By purchasing a reusable grocery bag, you can cut down on the 5 trillion plastic shopping bags that are produced worldwide every year (yes, that’s trillion with a “t”).

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3. Save money and electricity by eliminating ‘phantom energy’

Phantom energy is the energy used by electronic devices that are turned “off.” Devices like laptop chargers and televisions continually draw power even when not being used. According to the Department of Energy, about 10% of the average household’s monthly energy bill is haunted by phantom energy usage. Some newer studies even state that up to 23% percent of a household energy bill is composed of phantom energy usage.

Switching to smart power strips and modern appliances can help you save money and cut down on your energy usage.

4. Switch to reusable cloth napkins

Switching from paper towels to cloth napkins is a great sustainable New Year’s resolution. Paper products (paper towels, paper plates, etc.) make up the majority of waste going into American landfills.

Switching to a completely sustainable and paper-free lifestyle would be very difficult. However, swapping out paper towels or disposable napkins for reusable napkins is a great first step most households can work toward this New Year’s.

5. Reduce emissions by using your automobile less

Even if carpooling to work is not an option for you, there are still many ways you can cut down on your use of an automobile to live more sustainably. Here are several other ways you can eliminate your need for an automobile besides carpooling to work:

• Ride your bike to the grocery store
• Take public transit to commute in the city
• Walk to complete nearby errands
• Carpool with friends on the weekend

Obviously, not all the options listed above will work for everyone. However, with a little effort and creative thinking, you too can cut down on your automobile use.

6. Reduce emissions by eating locally

Did you know that the average processed food item travels over 1,300 miles before being consumed? While it’s hard to believe, that’s the truth, according to ATTRA. The same study also found that the average fresh produce item travels 1,500 miles before being consumed. That’s a lot of miles and a lot of carbon being emitted into the atmosphere.

A great way to help eliminate the country’s food transportation problem is to only eat locally sourced foods and dine at restaurants that support local farmers. One study from Nature found that food transportation accounted for approximately 3.0 gigatons of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere in 2017.

So, when it comes to eating locally, there’s no better time to start than the present.

7. Avoid fast fashion

Fast fashion refers to garments produced by mass-market retailers looking to capitalize on consumer trends. These retailers often steal or copy designs from independent artists and brands, and these garments are often produced cheaply and in unsafe working conditions.

If you weren’t already opposed to fast fashion, it’s also terrible for the environment. Fast fashion items often break down quickly and require replacement. By purchasing clothing items that are made to last and are produced ethically, you can do your part to help the environment.

9. Plant a garden or pollinator habitat

Planting a garden in your backyard or community can do wonders for the environment. Not only will your garden brighten up your space, but it can also produce edible vegetables or wildflowers for pollinators. Either way, planting a garden is a great way to make a tangible impact this year.

If you don’t have the space for a backyard garden, don’t worry! You can also turn your balcony or rooftop into a makeshift garden. An indoor herb garden is another great option, especially if you want to take advantage of bright kitchen space and reuse materials such as Mason jars.

10. Reduce online shopping to save trees

In some ways, e-commerce can be more sustainable than traditional brick-and-mortar shopping. After all, one van delivering 50 packages is more efficient than 50 cars driving to the same store. However, online shopping is also consistently abused by those who buy everything online. Cutting down on unnecessary online purchases can be a great start to living a more sustainable life.

How can I improve my online shopping habits?

• Group purchases
• Choose slower shipping
• Replace trips to the store with online shopping
• Take advantage of Amazon Lockers and other resources

FAQs

Q: What are the top 5 New Year’s resolutions?

A: The top 5 New Year’s resolutions among Americans in 2022 were to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, spend more time with family, and take care of mental health.

Q: What is a sustainable resolution?

A: There are many sustainable resolutions you can strive for this New Year’s. Examples of eco-friendly New Year’s resolutions include planting a garden, using reusable bags and water bottles, driving less and eliminating fast fashion.

Q: How do I stick to my New Year’s resolution?

A: Start by making your resolution realistic and plan out how you are going to achieve success. If your resolution is measurable, you will have an easier time tracking your progress throughout the year.

Achieve Your Eco-Friendly Goals this New Year!

Ready to get started achieving your eco-friendly goals? Don’t worry if you found this blog in December or June, there’s no better time to start reaching for your goals than now!

Use our 2023 New Year’s Resolution Template throughout the year to help you track your progress and keep yourself accountable.