It’s that time again when we prepare to embrace a brand new year. For many, this is also a time of fresh starts, a chance to reflect on how to make ourselves and the world better. For this new year, why not have those annual resolutions focus on sustainability and eco-friendliness? By setting eco-friendly goals for the new year, we can all contribute to a healthier planet, while enriching our personal lives at the same time. 

As the new year quickly approaches, here are five sustainable resolutions to kick off the new year. 

1. Embrace Minimalism 

According to the EPA, the average person produces nearly five pounds of trash (municipal solid waste) per day. In addition to the impact on the earth and landfills, each thing that is thrown away was produced or manufactured at one time, which required resources such as materials, energy, and water. One of the most impactful resolutions for the upcoming year is to make a commitment to “less”. 

Embracing minimalism in this sense isn’t about living in a home without all of your treasures or denying yourself little pleasures. Instead, it’s about focusing on reducing waste in your daily life by embracing a less is more attitude. The concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle applies perfectly here. 

Consider these examples: 

Assess how much trash you or your household generates each day or week. How much is being thrown away that didn’t serve a valuable purpose, to begin with? Is there excess you didn’t need that only ended up in the trash? Are there items that could be easily swapped for reusable alternatives, such as replacing disposable razors with safety razors or ditching paper towels in favor of reusable cloths?

As much as possible, try to step away from single-use plastics. Globally, there are hundreds of millions of tons of plastic produced each year. Nearly half of which is single-use plastics. Not only does this level of plastic production place a strain on the environment, but if not recycled many plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose. 

Consider that a single plastic water bottle can take as long as 450 years to decompose. During this process, the plastic begins to disintegrate into smaller particles called nano plastics. These particles remain in the environment for essentially forever. Instead of single-use plastics, make the switch to refillable glass water bottles and switch out plastic shopping bags for reusable ones. Even these small, simple steps have a significant impact. 

Along with this, focus on quality over quantity when making purchases. Adopt a mindset of only purchasing items that add value or fill a necessary need in your life. Consuming less is a great way to not only reduce waste but also save money. 

2. Take Steps to Conserve Energy 

According to the Nature Conservancy, each person in the United States has a carbon footprint of 16 tons per year. We can compare this to the overall global average which is only about 4 tons per year. The more greenhouse gases we produce, the more we contribute to rising global temperatures. To avoid a catastrophic rise in global temps, we need to drastically reduce our production of carbon dioxide and methane. 

On an individual level, factors such as transportation, food production, and waste disposal are major contributors to the carbon footprint. Along with this, one of the most significant contributors is energy usage, including energy from fossil fuels. 

Steps such as switching to LED lighting, remembering to turn off lights and appliances, investing in smart technology for your home, sealing drafty windows, and taking fewer connecting flights are just a handful of ways to conserve energy at home. 

3. Prioritize Sustainability with Food Choices 

We don’t often think about the impact of our food choices on the environment. The type of foods consumed, where it’s sourced from, and how much is wasted all have a profound impact on the environment. Beginning the year by making thoughtful food choices, you can reduce your ecological footprint and enjoy nutritious and delicious meals as a nice bonus. 

• Reducing Meat Consumption: Reducing meat and dairy consumption, even if just marginally or for a few meals a week, can have an incredible effect on decreasing your individual contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and water usage. If you love meat, you don’t have to go vegan or vegetarian. But consider making meat more of a complementary ingredient, rather than the star of the show. 

• Buying Local: When possible, choose to buy from local markets and farmers. Not only does this support the local community and economy, it also reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation, and promotes seasonal eating. 

• Cutting Down on Food Waste: Take proactive steps to reduce food waste down the road. For example, plan meals ahead of time and shop accordingly for portion sizes and servings. When you have leftovers, ensure they are stored properly – and enjoyed in an appropriate amount of time. Find ways to use food scraps, such as saving vegetable scraps for broths or sauces, and consider composting to return those nutrients back to the earth. 

4. Commit to Eco-Friendly Transportation 

Here we come to a sustainable resolution that many people may find more challenging. Modern transportation makes life possible, and for many, it can be a form of pleasure and security. However, transportation is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Making just small adjustments as we move into the new year can have a big impact. 

• Car Maintenance: Make sure that your car is properly maintained. This includes ensuring that tires are inflated properly, the oil is changed on schedule, and that the recommended maintenance schedule is maintained. 

• Carpool and Public Transit: To save both fuel and money, consider sharing rides or using public transportation to help reduce the overall number of vehicles on the road. This can help relieve frustrating traffic congestion and reduce pollution from slow-moving traffic. 

• Get Physical: Walking or biking is an eco-friendly and healthy way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

• Consider Hybrid or Electric Vehicles: While there are pros and cons to consider, it’s worth giving some thought to exploring electric and hybrid options if you’re in the market for a new car. If the price tag scares you away, look for government incentives to make them more affordable. 

5. Get Active in Green Community Initiatives 

The final sustainable resolution for the new year is to get involved in collective community efforts that support sustainability. This could be anything from joining a local park or roadside clean-up crew, to becoming an advocate for community renewable energy projects.  Whether it’s through physical action or using advocacy to improve awareness, there is strength in numbers and individual communities can make a meaningful impact. 

Staying on Track with Sustainable Resolutions 

The thing about resolutions is that they almost seem to be made to be broken. Sticking to your New Year sustainable resolutions can be challenging, but there are a few steps you can take to make it easier. 

• Start Small: Big changes can be overwhelming. Give yourself permission to adopt one resolution at a time, or to take small steps instead of giant leaps. Small changes lead to bigger changes, which lead to long-lasting habits. 

• Track Your Progress: Take a minute each day to make note of what you have done toward your goals. This can help you stay accountable and also help you see how much difference you’ve made in a short amount of time. 

• Don’t Go It Alone: Partner with a friend, join a like-minded community or make these changes as a family. 

• Educate Yourself: Become a lifelong student of sustainability. Read books, join online communities, follow eco-friendly influences, and stay up to date on environmental news to keep your motivation going strong. 

Starting 2025 on Green Footing 

Setting sustainable resolutions is a great way to begin the new year. By taking these steps, you’re not only improving your own life but also contributing to future generations and the health of the planet. Big or small, each step and each action makes a difference. Let this year be your turning point for a greener, more sustainable lifestyle.