Start the new year sustainably

Do you want to do more for the environment next year, but don't know where to start? New Year’s resolutions can help you with this. Here are a few tips on how you can start the new year sustainably.

Make resolutions achievable

Do you know why so many resolutions don't work or are forgotten after a month at the latest? This is because New Year's resolutions are often not formulated in a meaningful way. In order for us to achieve goals, they must be concretely implementable. Generalized resolutions such as “I will lose weight”, “I will exercise more” or “I will no longer produce waste” are so unspecific and exaggerated that they quickly discourage us. The goal seems unattainable and cannot be measured. It is therefore important that we formulate ourresolutions concretely and in smaller steps.

For example, “I do more exercise” can then become “I go to the gym for an hour every Monday” or “I attend a yoga class twice a week”. This more specific formulation makes the intent verifiable and is more tangible than the first, general formulation. Of course, this also applies to resolutions in the areas of sustainability and environmental protection. For a few, the resolution “I will from January 1st. vegan/vegetarian” work. For the vast majority of people, however, this can easily be overwhelming. You will find out what resolution you can formulate for yourself instead, further down in this post.

Overwhelm can also arise from taking on too much at once. It's absolutely great when you're so motivated that you want to implement five New Year's resolutions in one go. However, in most cases this is very time-consuming and requires not only time, but also a lot of stamina. How about starting January with one single resolution? As the year progresses, you can always add new resolutions. Climbing the steps of a staircase little by little is better than trying to jump from the first step to the last and falling all the way down. 

Now let’s move on to concrete sustainable resolutions:

Sustainable New Year's resolutions

1. Use fewer disposable products & produce less waste

For me, the “big 4” are history

The “big 4” means plastic straws, plastic bottles, plastic bags and disposable coffee cups. Removing these items from life makes a huge difference to the environment. For us as individuals, this resolution remains concrete enough to implement. However, it requires a little preparation. Finally, you should own a reusable coffee cup if you want to avoid disposable cups. Purchasing the four items in a reusable form is definitely worth the investment. Jute bags, metal drinking bottles and reusable cups are now available in various beautiful designs. Reusable straws are available, for example, in the form of a key ring. So you have it with you at all times. It can also be worth looking for used products online or at flea markets.

2. Consume less animal products

I eat less meat
Meat is no longer in my shopping cart /
I eat meat once a week /
I only eat animal products outside and generally cook vegan food at home

This resolution is the concrete version of the previously mentioned “I will become vegetarian/vegan” resolution. If you would like to implement it into your life, then look for a formulation/version that feels right for you. As I said, you can always expand the project later. For starters, introducing a “Meatless Friday” might be enough. Or avoiding red meat when doing your weekly shopping. Even if the resolution might not be “good enough” for others – do your thing! Every change in the right direction counts and is great! 

3. Start walking more again

I walk to work /
Every Monday I ride my bike instead of the car /
I use the way to my relatives or friends as a walk

There are many reasons for walking. In addition to the obvious environmental aspect, you are also doing yourself and your health a favor. You have to plan for more time, but you also slow down wonderfully and experience the pleasant feeling of having moved. Here too, the resolution can be flexibly adjusted and should of course be tailored to your options. 

4. Create less food waste

I build my own compost /
If I throw away food, it's only because there's no other option/
Every Sunday I plan the next week's meals /
I only buy as much as I can use

Around a third of the food produced ends up in the trash. Intense, right? When food waste ends up in a landfill, it produces methane as it rots. This greenhouse gas has a significant impact on our climate. It therefore makes sense to think about what happens to your own food waste and reduce it as much as possible. 

5. Expand your own sustainability awareness

Every Sunday I read an article on the topic of climate or sustainability /
Every month I implement a new zero-waste habit /
Once a month I go to an event or meeting where I can learn more about zero waste and sustainability 

Those who deal with issues such as sustainability and the environment are much more likely to change their own behavior. The things and impulses that we surround ourselves with every day take up a large part of our thoughts. Of course, it is always somehow “better” to take concrete action. But by dealing with important issues, we gradually develop a greater awareness of these things, which is also very important. A lot of things gradually become self-evident for us, so that we then implement them automatically...

What sustainable New Year’s resolutions do you have? What would you like to contribute in the coming year?

If you want to learn more about healthy eating, mindfulness or sustainability, check out more exciting blog articles on these topics here .