Live Sustainably in the New Year

There’s no better time to start planning your resolutions for 2020. Along with eating healthier, hitting the gym more, and cutting your screen time, a growing number of people are also incorporating sustainable practices on their list. In fact, Forbes noted that up to 77% of Americans want to learn how to live more sustainably earlier this year. Better yet, an estimated 93% of people in the study were worried about the environment as a whole. It makes sense that people are going into the new year with sustainability in mind. 

Here are some of the top everyday changes you should strive toward in order to lead a more sustainable life. 

Start in the home 

The easiest way to start living more sustainably is by making changes in your habits around the house. Once those become a part of your everyday routine, you can move on to bigger and bigger projects that help the planet. 

Start with the basic essentials: 

• Turning off the water when you brush your teeth 
• Switching off lights and appliances when you’re not in the room 
• Using a reusable water bottle or glass instead of bottled water
• Investing in a programmable thermostat so you’re not heating an empty home

Once you’ve adjusted your habits, you can also invest in environmentally-friendly appliances and light bulbs. Energy-star rated appliances can use up to 50% less energy annually compared to older, outdated versions of the same appliance. This looks great for your energy bill, but it looks even better for the planet. 

Ditch the disposables 

Styrofoam, single-use plastics, and other disposables are designed to make our lives easier. Unfortunately, these products are only used for a few moments before being tossed into the trash. These products take years to degrade and many leak harmful chemicals into the environment as they start to decompose. 

Before buying take-out, do a little research on the company’s attitude toward single-use items. Ensure that the restaurant from which you’re buying uses paper take-out options and biodegradable straws. In some cases, you might be able to bring your own tupperware to cut down on waste even more. Some coffee shops even offer discounts to folks who bring in their own travel mugs. While this isn’t always possible, there’s no harm in asking if it means protecting the environment. 

Check out some sustainable community blogs or forums for tips and tricks in your area. If you’re able to connect with others who have similar ideas, it can make leading a sustainable lifestyle all the more rewarding. And for those products that you simply cannot live without, be sure to recycle or compost their packaging whenever possible. 

Better your community

While the other tips present on this list are meant to mitigate the harm that we pose on the environment, helping out around the community is an active venture that requires effort. However, teaming up with your local community, making friends, and helping the environment are just some of the benefits of bettering your community. 

Help your community become more sustainable: 

• Dine out at Green Dining Alliance certified restaurants
• Volunteer at your community garden or farmer’s market 
• Engage in clean-up efforts locally 
• Plant trees and establish gardens to promote green spaces 
• Start or join a community composting center 
• Volunteer at local schools to teach others about sustainability 
• Start fundraisers to establish solar panels and other sources of green energy for community centers, schools, and businesses
• Volunteer at your local food bank to reduce food waste and help underserved communities

 

Keep in mind that your local community might already have some of these programs in place. Don’t hesitate to find like-minded community members to talk about sustainability opportunities in your area. 

You can rely on these tips and tricks to help the planet — and yourself in achieving a more sustainable lifestyle in 2020.

 

Guest blog by Tim Porter