7 Easy Sustainable-Living New Year's Resolutions For 2023

A new year always marks the opportunity to set yourself some goals and resolutions for the 12 months ahead. Resolutions can be hard to stick to so we’ve kept things as simple as possible with these 7 easy sustainable-living New Year’s Resolutions so that you can make a positive impact on the planet this year.

1. Reduce your waste

Commiting to reducing your waste is one of the easiest ways to become more sustainable. The more items you throw away, the more pollution you're creating, and the less resources we have on this planet. So this year, try your best to reduce the amount of rubbish you create at home. You can even take it a step further by composting any food waste that you produce. When you compost your food waste, you can turn it into nutrient-filled soil to use in your garden. 

Avoid single-use plastic and bring your own reusable bags, containers, coffee cups, water bottles and utensils when shopping or eating out.

Perhaps you can also increase your recycling efforts. Check out our Ultimate Guide To Recycling for everything you need to know. You might even be surprised by what items you can actually recycle rather than throw in the bin.

2. Reduce your energy consumption

Reducing your energy consumption can be made easy with the steps in our 8 Ways To Save Energy In Your Home blog. Turning off lights and appliances when they’re not needed, ensuring your home is properly insulated and replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs are just some of the ways you can make a big difference.

3. Travel sustainably

Use public transportation, carpool, walk or bike instead of driving whenever possible. Consider buying a fuel-efficient, hybrid or electric vehicle.

Sustainable travel is also relevant for the holidays we take. Whether you choose to holiday in the UK, offset your air miles, consider alternatives to flying, visit ‘green destinations’ or choose eco-friendly accommodation, check out our guide to 12 Ways To Be A More Eco-Friendly Traveller for inspiration.

4. Support sustainable agriculture

Buy locally-grown and organic foods. This is one of the main ways you can reduce your impact on the planet, while eating fresh, healthy food. It’s also important to buy produce when it is in-season. Buying out of season fruit and vegetables will mean that they have either been imported from another country or grown in heated greenhouses. Both of which are bad for the planet. So, shop local and visit your local farm shops and farmers markets and choose from the fruit and vegetables that are available. 

5. Support sustainable businesses

Make a conscious effort to shop with companies that prioritise sustainability in their operations and supply chains. Consider this as just as important as the other factors you take into consideration before making a purchase. You can do some research on the company via their website and read up on the environmental practices but just watch out for ‘greenwashing’. This is when a company uses misleading information in an attempt to convince consumers that a product is more environmentally friendly than it is.

6. Eat less meat and more plant-based foods

Another way you can become more sustainable in 2023 is by eating less meat and eating more plant-based foods. Eating more plant-based foods is one of the best things you can do for your health and the environment. It can also help combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping protect the planet's natural resources. 

When it comes to food, the most important thing you can do is eat a balanced diet with a variety of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. You can also increase your intake of healthy proteins such as beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds by eating a plant-based diet. Try incorporating these foods into your diet this year and see the difference it makes.

7. Educate yourself and others

Finally, set some time aside to learn about the environmental impact of your actions and share your knowledge with others to encourage sustainable living. Our recent blog post How To Be An Eco-Activist is a great place to start.

Final thoughts

We hope this guide shows you that by making small changes in your daily habits, you can have a big impact on the planet and contribute to a more sustainable future. Be sure to visit our blog section to find lots more useful content to help you live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Good luck with your New Year’s Resolutions!