New Year, New Sustainable Practices
As we approach the new year, we start to think about the changes and adjustments that we plan to make to improve our lives and become better people. In addition to the standard resolutions of losing weight and finding success at work, you can also make a pledge to live a more sustainable life. There are adjustments that you can make to your home, shopping habits, and daily life that can help you and the planet thrive. Let’s talk about the sustainable practices that you can prepare for in the new year.
Photo by Benjamin Combs
Make New Adjustments to Your Home
While the new year will be the introduction of a new you, it can also be a chance to introduce your new, eco-friendly home. There are many big and small adjustments that you can make around your house to save on utility costs and cut down on unnecessary waste.
At a minimum, consider replacing your incandescent light bulbs with eco-friendly LED alternatives that will shine brighter, last longer, and cut down on your energy bill. If your home was built multiple years ago, then this may also be a good time to replace your windows with new models that are double-paned, so they prevent energy leakage when you heat and cool your home.
This is also a good time to consider revamping the appliances in your home to eco-friendly alternatives. If you have older appliances, then you may be amazed to learn about the new dishwashers, dryers, and refrigerators that have come out in recent years. Newer tech results in improved performance, and you will find that your clothes are dryer and your food is colder, but you are only using a portion of the energy that your old appliances used to require.
Finally, if you want to make a big change that will help you to save a fortune in the new year, then consider adding solar panels to your home. While there may be a modest investment up front, over time, you will see your energy bill drop dramatically as you use the power of the sun to light and heat your home. There may even be government rebates that you can get on your taxes just by doing the right thing for the environment.
Consider New Hobbies
The new year is also a great time to find new hobbies that will fill your time and help the planet. When spring comes around, consider growing a garden. The act of gardening requires constant digging, crouching, and raking, which is great for your physical health. Plus, it is incredibly satisfying seeing a small seed that you planted grow into a large, healthy plant.
Gardening is also a great hobby to promote your skills of self-reliance. You never know what could happen in the world, and it is important to be able to grow your own food and not need to depend on others. Plus, when you learn the skills, you can grow a garden anywhere and always have what you need.
You can also make the decision to dedicate yourself to volunteering with local organizations in the year to come. Combine volunteering with sustainability by helping to plan and build a community garden, planting trees at the local park, volunteering at a wildlife rescue, or anything in between. You will make a great difference and gain an incredible sense of accomplishment.
While it is important to help others when you get the chance, you also need to take care of yourself. The new year can be tough on many people as they think about their lives and what lies ahead. If you ever have negative thoughts, think about harming yourself, or constantly have headaches, stomachaches, and other signs of anxiety, then it may be time to see a therapist. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and learn ways to cope. Then, you can take on 2023 with a new sense of happiness and freedom.
Think About What You Use and Buy
As we approach a new year, it is a good time to think about buying and using the items around your home.
Start with where you buy your groceries. There may be an allure and ease to shopping at the big box stores, but you can do a lot for the environment by shopping at local grocers instead. Many local businesses get their meat and produce from nearby farms, so it is delivered quickly, and you’ll always have what you need. The great benefit of shopping locally is that you reduce the need for large semi-trucks to blast pollution into the air as they drive across the country to deliver your goods. Don’t forget to bring your reusable cloth bags.
You can apply the same smart shopping strategy when you purchase your cleaning products. Opt to purchase eco-friendly cleaning products that will keep your home spotless without spraying harmful chemicals. Plus, the bottles are recyclable, so you can use them repeatedly or recycle them so they can be made into something else.
Another resolution that you make for the new year is to think about how you buy your big-ticket items like clothes, electronics, and furniture. When you buy these items from a chain store, you require factories to build new materials, and the non-stop production is why factories are a major contributor to air pollution. Instead, consider buying these items from a donation center, like Salvation Army or Goodwill. These products are all checked for quality, and they are well cared for so you know you are getting a great item without requiring unnecessary pollution.
As you can see, the new year is a great time to change your habits and dedicate yourself to a more sustainable life. Consider the tips here, and you will make a real difference in the world.
Author : Miles Oliver
