It's been an absolutely crazy year, and as it comes to a close, we're thinking on new ways we can help reduce our impact on the environment. It's more important now than ever to be making those micro-changes, whether it's walking more to switching up the way we shop - there's always ways to improve! We've brought together our top 10 eco-friendly new year's resolutions here - we'd love to hear what you have in mind too.
1. Make cleaning, green!
It wont be a shock to many that often household cleaners contain chemicals which can be harmful which absorbed through the skin, or breathed in, such as ammonia, toluene and chlorine. There are many natural alternatives to your regular household cleaning products - such as using vinegar, baking powder and lemon. If you're thinking to yourself that you don't have the time, or would like the convenience, we've got a brilliant selection of natural cleaning products here at EcoVibeUK.
2. Buy recycled products over virgin products
At EcoVibe, we always stress the importance of reduce, reuse and then recycle - but there are benefits to making sure products you have to buy new can be bought with recycled content. As more people buy recycled products, companies will understand that we need to conserve our precious resources and encourage recycled content across the market. The decisions we make have a very real impact!
3. Walk, Jog, Bike or all three!
Where possible, it would be great to add walking or cycling to your daily commute (if you still have one). Or perhaps for your weekly trip to the shops - can you possibly carry your shopping home? Walking and cycling are low resource usage and has the added benefits of keeping you fit and healthy! It helps to keep cars off the road that cause congestion and pollution.
4. Say ‘no’ to fast fashion
Are you already saying no to fast fashion? If you are then great! If not - here are some ways you could reduce your fashion footprint whilst heeding your funky fashion habits.
You could...
- Choose to buy higher quality fashion items - which are sustainably made.
- Choose to shop in small and local stores, to buy local sourced products.
- Check whether what you'd like can be bought pre-loved from charity shops and online market places (e.g. facebook, eBay or Depop).
By committing to doing any of these options, even if just some of the time, it helps to stop the waste of resources in manufacturing and cuts down the carbon produced in the supply chain.
5. Bring your own water bottle
One of the very first steps for zero-waste newbies! We love drinking water and it's super important for us - but it's important that we choose re-usability over convenience as the cost to the environment adds up. A million plastic bottles are purchased every minute around the world - but only 9% is recycled. Time to put all those reusable water bottles you've got to use - or if you haven't got one but you'd like to give it a go - why not buy a reusable water bottle and actually remember to keep it on you this year.
6. Remember your reusable shopping bags
Plastic bags are difficult to recycle and also has a very low recycling rate. Beyond sitting in landfills because they’re lightweight they’re easily carried by the wind into nature. Most of us have reusable grocery bags, but for some reason, we just can’t remember to get them to the store. This year, let’s on a schedule and stick to us.
7. Eat in-season
Everything you buy has a footprint, so try to choose products that have been sustainably sourced. Buying seasonally produced food supports your local agricultural economy but it also helps the environment by cutting down on the packaging, transport and high-intensity farming process needed for out of season foods. Seasonal food is also cheaper too – it’s a win win!
8. Cut the beef!
One of the most important changes you can make to the environment is changing your diet. The production of meat and dairy products is one of the major causes of greenhouse gas emissions. So why not cut out meat from your diet and have a more carbon-friendly dinner.
9. Use natural cosmetics
Conventional cosmetics contain harmful carcinogens and ingredients such as parabens, talc, and polyethylene. Parabens alone have been linked to breast cancer and may even affect fertility. You can imagine what these chemicals do to the environment. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Check out our natural cosmetics here.
10. Reduce your plastic use
Plastic is absolutely everywhere, and it can be hard to completely cut out plastic. But lots of items are avoidable and there are some fantastic alternatives around, like beeswax wraps, compostable bin liners or even coconut-based cleaning products. Want some inspiration? Check out our plastic-free collection.
Final thoughts...
Got any other ideas or tips for ways you can reduce your impact on the environment and be more eco-friendly in the new year? Comment below with your tips!