Green New Years Resolutions
Image by Tim Mossholder through Unsplash
It has been a year since I started down a path to creating a more sustainable household. Some choices have been easy and others more difficult. It has not been perfect and I am nowhere near a zero waste household, but I do feel I have eliminated a lot of extra waste just by spending a little more time doing some research before making a purchase and overall buying less stuff. Shops like Exist Green just up the street have helped cut waste by bringing my own containers for food and home supplies. Omaha’s Energy Bag program helps me divert single use plastic like cheese bags from the landfill to a more productive reuse making cement. I have almost completely eliminated waste from my bathroom by using bar soap and tooth powder from Exist Green and a Merkur safety razor purchased early in 2020. Some of the changes I have made include:
Building a compost bin for my food scraps
Making my own yeast and buying a bamboo bread box for my homemade bread
Testing out homemade deodorant and switching over to a crystal deodorant
Eliminating Ziplock bags and plastic wrap from my kitchen and replacing them with reusable alternatives
Reducing waste while traveling by bringing my own utensils, cloth napkin, coffee and water cups, and avoiding the individually wrapped snacks on planes
Shopping at thrift shops and garage sales instead of new retail outlets when possible
I have been looking ahead to 2021, a year we are all anticipating for a fresh start with the pandemic and its social isolation behind us. In the new year I plan to continue my journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle and commit to a green new years resolution. Stanford University put together a list of resolutions to consider to make your 2021 more green:
Start Recycling. Recycling is a great way to limit your waste in landfills. I would caution that it is not a magic bullet since only 9% of plastic is actually recycled and the rest ends up in landfills. Plastic is almost impossible to recycle because of the properties that make it so flexible and versatile. So while you should recycle, also consider the next resolution.
Reduce and Reuse More. Buy more items from the bulk section, from farmers markets, or make more items from scratch to reduce the amount of plastic you buy. Carry a refillable water bottle instead of buying plastic bottles. Find ways to reuse items you do end up buying, such as reusing empty jars for storage of bulk food, nails and screws, or items you need to freeze.
Buy Recycled Products When Feasible. Switch one regularly purchased item such as your paper towers from a regular brand to one that uses recycled content. I had high hopes for cloth paper towels in my household, but my spouse was not as keen, so this may be the alternative we can both agree on.
Detoxify Your Cleaning Regimen. Many cleaning products contain harmful solvents and are not always as effective as the tried and true baking soda and vinegar. You can also find non-toxic cleaners from Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s if you prefer a ready to go solution.
Cut Down on Pesticides and Fertilizers. We all want a weed-free green lawn, but using pesticides and fertilizers harms the lakes and streams in your community. High concentrations in water bodies lead to algal blooms that remove oxygen fish and other aquatic species need to survive. It also makes for a less than pleasant recreational amenity.
Walk or Bike Instead of Driving to Nearby Destinations. Not everyone can or wants to bike to work. It took me several years to make it part of my routine when I lived about one flat mile from my office in Rochester. But there are trips that we can avoid using a car and get some exercise in as well. Try walking to a nearby restaurant or pick up a few forgotten groceries by bike. It is not only sustainable, but a healthy way to get exercise in while checking something off your list.
Build a Backyard Compost Bin. A cheap and easy way to divert your food scraps from the landfill and get great compost for your garden is by building or buying a compost bin. If your city operates a curbside compost program, consider signing up and participating. Often, you get discounted or free compost from the city compost yard.
As you look forward to 2021 and make your annual resolutions, consider adding a few green resolutions identified above. Small changes from many individuals can lead to a big impact. We only have one earth and living on the moon or Mars seems like a crazy dream at best so we better take care of what we have. Many of these resolutions are not just stainable, but they will benefit your health and your wallet too.
