For many, the days following the holidays are dedicated to making changes in the coming year. Resolutions are an opportunity for people to reflect on themselves, their actions/behavior and make decisions to improve their life in the new future. For those of us who are environmentally minded, this can be a time of renewed dedication; for others new to the eco-movement such resolutions can lead to information, education, and ultimately lifestyle changes. 

The Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC.org) as well as the Sustainability Institute (sustainer.org) has issued some suggestions to help us sacrifice things that actually do make a big impact. Many other blogs, websites, newspapers and magazines offer tips and suggestions as well. Here are my personal top ten Eco-friendly New Year resolutions that are both simple and yet high impact for the greater good of our earth!

1. Avoid Waste
Each trash can we set out for the garbage man actually equates approximately 70 trash cans of waste in order to create the trash we are dealing with now.  To reduce the amount of waste your family produces, prioritize buying products in returnable and recyclable containers.

2. Stop buying water
It takes 26 bottles of water to produce the plastic container for a 1liter bottle of water and that by doing so it pollutes 25 liters of groundwater. Frightening isn’t it? Although it costs a mere $15 on average, many of us haven’t converted to aluminum water bottles. This resolution is ridiculously easy and offers a huge impact. Stop leaving a wake of plastic bottles behind you and upgrade!

3. Eco-sharing
If you are new to eco-sharing, it is time to hop on board. Thrift stores, consignment stores, garage sales, freecylce websites and the like are uber popular and fantastic for the environment. If you are still thinking that buying pre-owned items is icky, get over it! It’s no biggie. If its cloth items, simply wash them once home. If its furniture or household items, simply wipe down with a wet, soapy rag. Problem solved! No biggie! You may even consider joining one of the eco-sharing face book pages, community pages or email lists. These sites are great for getting what your family needs with no environmental cost (and little cost on the wallet too) but also for getting rid of items you don’t use, need or want! Perfect for the post-holiday clutter!

4. Reusable shopping bags
Paper or plastic? How about neither! Last year alone over twelve million barrels of oils were used to make 88.5 billion plastic bags used in the United States. Paper bags use four times as much as energy as plastic! Instead of using either, invest in reusable shopping bags. These bags have become so popular choices are abundant in cotton, mesh, or nylon options. Some are plain, some offer funky patterns and others display eco-mottos. Utilizing these bags is a must for the New Year.

5. Stop junk mail
Each year 19 billion catalogs are mailed throughout the United States. These catalogs require more than 53 million trees and 56 billion gallons of waste water to produce. Simply visit www.catalogchoice.org and cut down on unwanted mailings. Your less cluttered mailbox equals less pollution, less waste, less of an environmental impact that contributes to climate change.

6. Give up toilet paper
While it isn’t necessary to literally give up all toilet paper, buying only recycled toilet paper can change the world. If every home in the United States bought one four-pack of recycled toilet paper, rather than the conventional brands made from virgin fiber, it would eliminate 60,600 pounds of chlorine pollution, preserve 356 million gallons of fresh water and save nearly 1 million trees. Considering the cost of recycled toilet paper is the same as conventional, this resolution is too easy not to keep.

7. Lower the temperature on the Fridge
Since the fridge is one of the biggest appliances in our homes, it is also one of the hungriest. On average, refrigerators account for 10-15% of our energy cost each month. It is crucial to keep this bad boy running in tip top shape. Set the refrigerator thermostat to maintain a temperature between 38 and 42 degrees (F). This will save electricity and still protect food items from spoiling. Also, don’t forget to clean the condenser coil in the back of the fridge at least twice a year. The condenser coils tend to get a bit dusty which makes them far less effective.

8. Give up 2 degrees in your home heating demands
Electric power plants are a huge contributor to climate change. By simply snuggling under a blanket instead of cranking the thermostat or enjoying the breeze on a hot day rather than blasting the a/c you can save pounds of pollution as well as a significant amount of change on your next utility bill. Simply set your thermostat lower by 2 degrees, even lower during hours when you are sleeping or out of the home. In the hot summer days, simply do the opposite.

9. Run a fully loaded dishwasher only
Did you know your dishwasher is actually good for the environment? Running a fully loaded dishwasher without pre-rinsing the dishes can use up to a third less water than washing the same dishes by hand. This saves on average between 10 and 20 gallons of water each day. Simply scrape the large pieces of food into the compost and let the dishwasher do her magic. Don’t forget to set the dishwasher to the air-dry setting. This will consume half of the amount in electricity!

10. Speak up and inform others
While you are making these changes, or other environmental projects, include others. Talk about your interests with others. Be proactive to consider utilizing your community, church groups, or family centers. Despite the trendiness of the environmental movement, many are not aware of the facts at hand. Educate them! Furthermore, while hopping on a soapbox is good for the soul occasionally, don’t forget to be more formal as well. There are many organizations to join, petitions to sign and politicians to write to. Be a powerful leader in your community!

As you are celebrating the New Year, raise your glass, propose a toast and proudly declare one of your environmental resolutions. Not only will your friends and family be all too happy to hold you to it, they may even join the challenge. A little competitiveness in good spirit can definitely result in positive changes! Happy New Year!