7 Eco-Friendly New Year's Resolutions

With January just around the corner, everyone will be starting to give some thought over to what their New Year's resolutions will be. Maybe this year is your year to incorporate some eco-friendly habits and start as you mean to go on! Here are some ideas for inspiration...

1. Shop Local

Take your fresh produce bag down to your local greengrocers or bakery and support the local businesses in your area! If you're unable to do that, try checking the label on your food to see where it was produced.

It might help to take a look at this list of food that's in season in the UK to help keep things even more eco! 

2. Reduce your Meat and Dairy Intake

The meat and dairy industries currently account for roughly double the carbon emissions that plant-based food does. Cutting down on your meat and dairy impact is one of the most effective ways of reducing your impact on the environment and discovering loads of delicious new recipes! If you're up for a challenge why not try Veganuary, or if you'd like to start a little slower, try doing meat-free Mondays to reduce your meat intake.

3. Cut your Fast Fashion Consumption Down!

Try to shop from ethical brands like Y.O.U, and second hand from charity shops. Good on You is a great app for checking how ethical a store is.

4. Learn more about Sustainability

If you're struggling to motivate yourself to stick to some of these resolutions, nothing will inspire you more than watching a moving documentary. A few personal recommendations would be Cowspiracy, The True Cost and Our Planet.

5. Reduce your dependence on Amazon

Amazon has a grip on all of us like nothing else. However, if you're passionate about the environment and want to put your money where your mouth is, try looking for alternative places to shop for your things and only use Amazon if you have to! Etsy to be a good alternative and means you can support some small businesses too!

6. Make Zero-Waste Swaps

Try to keep a promise to yourself that when you run out of a product, to make a swap to a zero-waste alternative. This could range from bars of soap to a laundry egg! We even have our own zero-waste marketplace to help out with this one.

7. Talk about Climate Change with Loved Ones

This can be a tricky one because some people can be a little closed-minded when it comes to environmental issues, but stick with it! Set the example and bring it up casually without shaming them individually.

Most of all, don't give up if you're not perfect at it from the start. Happy New Year!

Written by Esme Spry