When setting your New Year’s resolutions, try to do what helps our planet and make the environment better. It will affect everyone in a positive way.
It also does not have to be difficult. Simple steps to reduce, reuse and recycle can add up. Often many of these changes require little effort and can often save you money.
1. Love aluminum more
This is because aluminum is infinitely recyclable, making it an ideal container. About 75% of all aluminum produced in the USA is still used today. Aluminum is one of the only materials in the consumer stream that pays more than the cost of its own collection.
Think about how much impact it would have if we recycled more cans.
Action Recycling points out that the amount of aluminum Americans throw away every three months can rebuild our entire commercial air fleet.
2. Say no to disposable plastic
Nobody wants to hate plastic completely. It has its purpose. In many cases it is an important material.
Bicycle helmets, child seats, medical equipment and cellphones, for example, are manufactured with plastic parts. It is the plastic for single use, such as plastic water bottles, straws and grocery bags that are of the greatest concern.
- Plastic water bottles. Try using a reusable bottle use only the disposable bottles in emergencies instead, or if you do not have access to reusable bottles.
- Plastic straws. Tell them you do not want a straw unless you really need it when you go to a restaurant. This alone can affect the reduction of plastic in our oceans.
- Grocery Bags. Most stores now sell their own reusable grocery bags, or you can ask for a paper bag that can be easily recycled or composted. We will only compost later.
Advertisements on the website fund the cause of actually removing the plastic.
You can go back every day to answer a new question, and hear, you might learn something new.
3. Switch off devices
We all love our devices. It helps us when we need directions, keep in touch with friends and family, and provide the ability to work from home.
If you do not use appliances, appliances, or if you are not in a room, turn off the lights and other electronics.
4. Do not pre-wash dishes
If everyone stops rinsing their dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, America could save 150 billion gallons of water in one year, according to Reckitt Benckiser, the parent company that brands Finish. How much is water exactly 150 billion?
“It’s roughly equivalent to 230,000 Olympic swimming pools,” said CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri. “Or it would take 39,800 years to regularly run the shower to use that much water.”
This means that pre-washed dishes only get a light wash. So if you have a relatively new dishwasher, let it do its job.
5. Make your home more energy efficient
Simply adjusting your thermostat by a few degrees, especially if you are not at home, will not only reduce your bill, but also reduce energy consumption.
Another tip to make your home more energy efficient: replace old light bulbs with more efficient ones.
Although it is a bit more expensive at first, you save money in the long run to exchange your old light bulbs. Usually more energy efficient light bulbs shine brighter, so you do not have to turn on so many lights. Plus, they can last up to five times longer than regular light bulbs, so you don’t have to replace them as often.
Add insulation or double glazing can also make your home more efficient, as your heating and air conditioners do not have to work as often.
6. Opt for email proofs if available
You can reduce paper waste by requesting email proofs. Many companies now offer email proofs as a secondary option, 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 through the paperwork or desk or purse to look for a receipt to return something? Now you just pull up the email and voila!
Another easy way to reduce paper waste is to pay your bills online, if possible. Not only is it more convenient, but some businesses even offer auto-payment, so you do not have to set up a reminder to pay on time. Just make sure the company you pay for still has the full bill they would normally send, so you can check it out.
An additional way to cut paper waste is to not record junk mail. In any case, many people do not like to get rubbish.
7. Plant a garden
One great thing about planting a garden is that size does not matter.
To begin with, every time you place a tree, flower, shrub or potted plant in your home, you add a natural resource that the carbon and produces oxygen.
By planting a garden, you can grow your own vegetables and fruits, as opposed to buying products, and it also reduces your total carbon footprint.
8. Change your coffee filters and coffee pods
Coffee drinkers are delighted with this daily ritual. But it also means taking up waste daily.
Simply switching your coffee filters or disposable coffee cup or pods with more sustainable or reusable units can help reduce frivolous waste.
9. Consider gift wrap alternatives
Some wrapping paper is recyclable if it does not use foil or glitter, or any other such additives that interfere with the recycling process. But there are so many other alternatives to gift wrapping.
Natural baskets are an excellent alternative, not only because they are beautiful, but they are easy to carry if you give heavier items.
Fabric scraps and old scarves offer beautiful alternatives, and can also add a little padding to delicate gifts.
However, if you prefer the more traditional look of paper, then try grocery bags, tissue paper, old calendar pages or even newspapers. Not a fan of the black and white look of a newspaper? Comics work.
10. Create a home compost bin
Banana peels, eggshells, apple seeds, coffee grounds and vegetable waste usually end up in your trash. But pieces can also be recycled in black gold, or free compost for your garden.
Composting reduces the amount of garbage that ends up in a landfill. It also creates nutritious soil that can be used later in and around your home.
The biggest deterrent for many in composting is the smell. If you have the room, move the composter outside. Also, use a container with a lid or seal when collecting the compost in your home so that your kitchen can not smell until you can place the items in your composter.
CNN meteorologist Haley Brink contributed to this story.