If you’ve been looking for ways to reduce your overall impact on the environment and make the world a better (and cleaner) place, there’s no time like the present to start thinking about the changes you can make. In fact, we should all set the following New Year’s Resolutions for 2022 so that we can do our part for the planet.
Stop Buying Disposable Plastic Goods
One of the biggest threats to our planet is the production and disposal of plastic. Plastic waste is at a critical level, both here in the United States and all over the world. The problem is snowballing out of control, and if we want to put a stop to it, we must each commit to doing our part. Starting in 2022, stop buying and accepting disposable plastic goods. Buy metal or glass straws to use both at home and on the go, ditch the plastic toothbrush in favor of an eco-friendly bamboo alternative, and bring your own bags to the grocery store to reduce plastic, there as well. These are only a few simple ideas, but each one will go a long way toward reducing plastic if we all commit to them.
Reduce Food Waste
The amount of energy that goes into producing and transporting food around the world is enormous. Energy goes into sowing and harvesting crops, and then more energy goes into transporting that food to local grocery chains. If we want to do our part to be more eco-friendly in 2022, reducing our household food waste is a fantastic option. Some tips for families to consider include:
- Meal Planning – The best way to reduce food waste in your home is to plan your meals in advance. This way, you know what you will prepare for each day, and you will know exactly how much food to buy to bring your plan to fruition.
- Sticking to a List – When you do go grocery shopping, make a list ahead of time and avoid purchasing anything that isn’t on your list.
- Avoiding Impulse Buys – Grocers try extremely hard to tempt you with things you don’t really need. Such goodies are found not only at the registers, but also on endcaps and even out in the middle of the aisle. It may look good, but odds are that you don’t really need it.
- Investing in a Deep Freezer – Finally, if you have a large family, a deep freezer is a wonderful investment. Sometimes you just don’t feel like cooking, and this might lead to a trip to your favorite fast food restaurant – complete with unhealthy food and lots of extra packaging materials. Instead, if you prepare extra with your family’s favorite meals, you can simply thaw it out, warm it up, and enjoy.
Buy from Environmentally-Conscious Brands
Last, but most certainly not least, one of the best things we can do as a collective involves buying products from environmentally-conscious brands. Consumers have the ability to take a stand with their wallets, which simply means that when we choose to buy eco-friendly goods from smaller brands, we significantly decrease demand for mass-produced goods that are not so good for the planet. Over time, those larger companies will be forced to use more eco-friendly ingredients and practices. That’s a win for everyone!
The new year is just around the corner, and that means it’s almost time to set your resolutions. Do your part for our planet by being more conscious and aware about the products you buy and reducing the amount of waste your household produces. As more and more people get on board, the impact on the environment will be substantial.
