15 Eco-friendly New year’s Resolutions (that you can keep)

New Year's resolutions have never really been my thing, perhaps because I constantly break them. I set myself up with these high goals that are almost always impossible to achieve. Therefore, I decided that this year, rather than focusing on myself, I'd want to switch the attention to our world and give you easy, possible things you can do at home to preserve the globe.

Here are 20 Eco-Friendly New Year's Resolutions that are both smart and doable.

The obvious ones are to consume less meat, use less plastic, carry a reusable cup, etc. Simple decisions, yes? You can do so much more, and even little actions may have a big influence.

1. Do A Waste Audit

To determine what you discard each week. It's simple; throughout the following week, gather all the trash in one location—the garage works perfectly—instead of bringing it out daily and dumping it in the trash. Are there any single-use plastic items inside? If so, think about swapping it out with a reusable option. Zero-waste razors, produce bags, straws, plastic sandwich bags, etc., are a few examples. You may select from a ton of excellent choices in My Brand Directory.

2. Reduce Shower Time

In the coming year, freshwater will be a subject we hear a lot about. Cities like Chennai have already experienced water shortages. It will become increasingly typical. Water conservation is essential; we cannot keep wasting it carelessly. Reducing the duration of your shower by only two minutes may save you a lot of money. Batteries typically utilize 8 liters of water every minute. It soon accumulates. You may also think about implementing a zero-waste bathroom gradually.

3. Reduce Vampire Power

Turning off your computer while not in use is such a simple eco-friendly New Year's resolution. It continues to consume power from the grid even while in sleep mode. You may save 40 watts daily and around 10% of your electricity cost by turning it off at night. You may save even more money if you go a step further and get a smart power strip.

Additionally, you'll save a ton of money if you place all of your gadgets, including mobile chargers, iPads, computers, small kitchen appliances, etc. on the power strip. Consider making eco-friendly decisions while upgrading your house to make it more energy-efficient.

4. Use Reusable Batteries

They are an excellent replacement for conventional batteries. A University of Illinois study found that compared to the 350 million rechargeable batteries sold yearly, almost 3 billion , almost 3 billion nearly three3 billion batteries are thrown away annually. Rechargeable battery purchases may cost more upfrontfront, but the investment will last longer. Rechargeable batteries can help you save money and lessen environmental damage.

5. Donate Your Stuff

Donate whatever you no longer need or want. On the weekend, spend an hour searching your closet, furnace rooms, and kitchen cupboards for anything you can give. I think how much you have to contribute might surprise you. Please ensure your shoes, socks, pants, and pillows are correctly disposed of.

6. Volunteer

We all can give more, and I don't mean material things; I mean "time." Could you do it all year round? We tend to think about this more around the holidays. Do you happen to know anything that a company may use? Can you offer a weekly donation of 1-2 hours?

7. Stop Using Paper Towels

Paper towel usage annually is 13 billion pounds, or 45 pounds per person. We could save 570 million pounds of paper annually if we stopped using just one roll of paper towels every day. Instead, use dishcloths, worn-out t-shirts, worn-out socks, or cloth napkins.

8. Wash Your Clothes, Less

How we care for clothing contributes 25% to its carbon impact. In addition, 90% of our apparel is discarded before it should be because of our culture of "rapid fashion" and antiquated laundering practices. Change is needed now.

Your jeans can be worn ten times before needing to be washed. And think about drying your clothing on a line; it's significantly more environmentally friendly and possible wherever you live. Utilizing refillable cleaning supplies in your house is an additional best practice for using eco-friendly laundry detergents.

Read also: 10 sustainable tips for Clothing care: How to Make Your Clothes Last

9. Start a New Tradition

Cook and share a homemade meal together with others.

Since everyone has a busy schedule, it's crucial to set aside time for both food preparation and quality time with loved ones. Every week, make a healthy dinner from scratch with the help of friends and family. This year, be daring and establish a community while learning new dishes and culinary techniques. Also, make sure you're using eco-friendly, non-toxic cookware.

You don't need a large garden to produce your own food, so you might want to give it a try.

10. Green Your Eggs

"At present, it is estimated that 95% of the eggs produced in Canada and the United States are produced by hens kept in battery cages, where their freedom of movement is severely constrained, and they are deprived of their most basic behavioral needs, including wing-flapping, foraging, dust bathing, perching, and nesting." You may use this egg-buying guide from the previous year.

11. Speak up

Ask your favorite grocery store or neighborhood market if you want to bring your own containers. In the past, I've discovered that talking to store managers or owners is a great way to start a discussion about what you'd want to see more of in the store you frequent. Be kind at all times, but don't be hesitant to request what you need. You'd be astonished at how many store owners there are who are at least eager to discuss it.

12. Put Social Media To Good Use 

Social media and I have a love-hate relationship. Although it plays on our anxieties and makes many of us feel inadequate as we attempt to keep up with the Joneses, it's fantastic for finding like-minded individuals and businesses. Show them that you care about nature and spread messages about how people can help by sharing wisdom and inspiration—everyone is looking for inspiration and direction! Do you enjoy watching birds? Do you engage in exhilarating adventures? Post your photos to Instagram to demonstrate your love of nature.

Read also: Top 9 sustainability influencers to follow in India

13. Cut Down On Your Vehicles Emission 

Maintain the vehicle in good condition. Maintain your vehicle on a regular basis and maintain correct tire pressure. Keep your automobile from idling for longer than a few minutes. This results in emissions and a fuel economy of 0 miles per gallon. A possible option is an electric vehicle.

14. Volunteer & Be Informed

There is a lot going on in the environment sector, and it is crucial to keep updated. Examples include revolutions in renewable energy, significant choices in environmental legislation, and climate change research. Subscribe to newsletters that might be of use to you. Green Matters, Alternatives Journal, Eco Watch, David Suzuki Foundation, and Environmental Defense are a few of my favorites.

15. Green Your Period

Instead of using disposable tampons and sanitary towels, choose a menstrual cup or cloth pads that can be cleaned and reused again. Follow this thorough advice to successfully move to reusable pads since it takes time.