When setting New Year’s resolutions, try to make those that help our planet and improve the environment. It will impact everyone in a positive way.
It doesn’t have to be hard either. Simple steps can be added to reduce, reuse and recycle. Many of these changes are often effortless and can often save you money.
1. I love aluminum more
This is because aluminum is infinitely recyclable, making it an ideal container. In fact, about 75% of aluminum produced in the United States is still used today. Aluminum is one of the only materials in the consumer disposal stream that pays dearly for the cost of its own collection.
Think about the impact it would have if we recycled more cans.
Action Recycling points out that the amount of aluminum that Americans throw away every three months could rebuild our entire commercial air fleet.
2. Say no to disposable plastics
No one wants to completely hate plastic. It has its purpose. In many cases it is a vital material.
For example, bicycle helmets, child safety seats, medical equipment, and cell phones are made of plastic parts. Disposable plastics, such as plastic water bottles, straws and grocery bags, are the ones that cause the most concern.
- Plastic water bottles. Try using a reusable bottle instead, only use disposable bottles in an emergency or when you do not have access to reusable bottles.
- Plastic straws. When you go to a restaurant, unless you really need it, tell them you don’t want any ball. This can only affect the reduction of plastic in our oceans.
- Grocery bags. Now most stores sell their own reusable grocery bags or you can order a paper bag that can be easily recycled or composted. We will go composting a little later.
On-site advertising funds the cause to remove plastic.
You can go back every day to answer a new question and go, you may learn something new in the process.
3. Turn off the devices
We all love our devices. They help us when it comes to needing directions, staying connected with friends and family, and offering the opportunity to work from home.
When you are not using devices, appliances, or are not in a room, simply turn off the lights and other electronic devices.
4. Do not wash dishes beforehand
If everyone stopped washing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, the United States could save 150 billion gallons of water in just one year, according to Reckitt Benckiser, the parent company of the Finish brand. How much water is exactly 150 billion?
“That’s roughly the equivalent of 230,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools,” says Pedram Javaheri, a CNN meteorologist. “Or it would take 39,800 years of continuous operation of the shower to use so much water.”
This means that previously washed dishes are only washed slightly. So if you have a relatively new dishwasher, let it do its job.
5. Make your home more energy efficient
Simply adjusting the thermostat by a few degrees (especially if you’re not at home) will not only reduce your bill, but will help reduce energy consumption.
Another tip for making your home more energy efficient is to replace old light bulbs with more efficient ones.
Although initially a bit more expensive, changing old light bulbs saves money in the long run. Typically, more energy-efficient light bulbs shine brighter, so you won’t have to turn on as many lights. In addition, they can last up to five times longer than normal light bulbs, so you don’t need to replace them as often.
Add insulation or double glazed windows it can also make your home more efficient, as air conditioners and heaters will not need to run as often.
6. Opt for email receipts when available
You can reduce paper waste by asking for email receipts. Many companies now offer email receipts as a secondary option to paper receipts, including Apple, Macy’s, and Home Depot, to name a few.
It is also more convenient if you have to make returns. How many times have you had to go back and search through your desk or wallet documentation or wallet to look for a receipt to return something? Now just pull out the email and voila!
Another easy way to reduce paper waste is, if possible, to pay bills online. Not only is this more convenient, some companies even offer automatic payments, so you don’t need to set a reminder to pay on time. Make sure the company you’re paying for still lists the full invoice they would normally send so you can review it.
An additional way to reduce paper waste is to turn off spam. A lot of people don’t like to receive spam anyway.
7. Plant a garden
One great thing about planting a garden is that size doesn’t matter.
For starters, every time you plant a tree, flower, shrub, or potted houseplant at home, you add a natural resource that reduces carbon and produces oxygen.
Planting a garden allows you to grow some of your own vegetables and fruits, compared to buying products and this also reduces your carbon footprint.
8. Replace coffee filters and coffee pods
Coffee consumers delight in this daily ritual. But it also means accumulating waste on a daily basis.
Simply replace disposable coffee filters or cups or coffee pods with more sustainable or reusable ones, you can help reduce frivolous waste.
9. Think about gift wrapping alternatives
Some gift wrappers can be recycled when they do not use foil or glitter or any other additives that interfere with the recycling process. But there are so many other alternatives to wrapping gifts.
Natural baskets are a great alternative, not only because they are beautiful, but they are easy to carry if you give away heavier items.
Old fabric scraps and handkerchiefs are quite alternative and can also add a bit of padding to the more delicate gifts.
However, if you prefer the more traditional look of paper, try paper grocery bags, tissue paper, old or even daily calendar pages. Aren’t you a fan of the black and white look of a newspaper? Comics work.
10. Create a household trash can
Banana skins, eggshells, apple kernels, coffee grounds, and leftover vegetables often end up in the trash. But leftovers can also be recycled into black gold or free compost for the garden.
Composting decreases the amount of garbage that ends up in a landfill. It also creates a nutrient-rich soil that can be used later in and around the home.
The biggest deterrent to many when it comes to composting is the smell. If you have the room, take the composter out. Also, when collecting compost inside your home, use a container with a lid or seal to prevent the kitchen from smelling until you can place the items inside the composter.
CNN meteorologist Haley Brink contributed to this story.