Chelsea ColleyWhile it’s possible to implement new habits and healthy lifestyle changes year-round, January provides the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. Many of us create New Year’s resolutions to prioritize our mental and physical health, save money, or learn a new skill. This year, living more sustainably is at the top of my list. In this post, I’ll share 10 small steps I’m implementing in 2023 to help me lower my footprint this year, and they may help you, too!
1. Donate Unwanted or Unused Items
Although it isn’t quite Spring cleaning season yet, there is no better way to start the New Year than by decluttering your space and donating items that are no longer useful. One of my favorite ways to give new life to used items is by creating a swap group with friends where you can exchange clothing and items. Another way to reduce waste is to audit your belongings and donate anything that you didn’t wear or use in the last year. Before donating your used items, try researching local thrift shops that give back to your community and help those in need.
2. Complete a Buy Nothing New Month.
The Buy Nothing New Month is a movement that first started in Australia and has quickly gained traction worldwide. It is a one-month challenge to buy nothing new (with the exception of essentials like food, hygiene, and medicines). The month is a challenge for you to rethink where your stuff comes from, where it goes after you use it, and whether or not you can live without it. Completing a Buy Nothing New Month is a great way to reduce our overall consumption and become more thoughtful about our purchases (while also saving money!)
3. Use Reusables
Some reusable swaps are easy to make, such as carrying a reusable water bottle or using metal straws, but sustainability doesn’t end there. We come into contact with numerous forms of single-use plastic on a day-to-day basis, like when we grab coffee before class, the single-use utensils we use to eat a quick meal, or the plastic grocery bags that make things more convenient to carry. This year, I challenge you to choose a few more sustainable swaps to add to your routine. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can form a habit of refusing single-use plastics!
4. Start Your Own Garden
Gardening is not accessible or practical for everyone, but if you have a patio, backyard, or outdoor space, 2023 is the perfect year to begin growing your own produce in a garden! Just a few tomato, cucumber, or legume plants can produce enough food for you, your friends, and your neighbors with little to no expense! Many local libraries offer seed starter kits and classes on growing a garden. Gardening is also a great way to improve mental health and spend time in nature.
5. Reduce Electricity Consumption
Did you know that devices and electrical outlets continue to consume power even when they are not in use? This form of energy consumption is called vampire power or phantom energy, and it contributes greatly to our overall energy consumption (and our electric bill!). For example, take a look around your living space when everything is turned off. Chances are, you’ll see several LED lights indicating that energy is still being consumed. This year, become more mindful of your energy consumption by surveying the electrical outlets in your home. When possible, completely shut down electronic devices and unplug appliances when not in use.
6. Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
In the past few years, eco-friendly cleaning products have not only become more accessible, but more affordable, as well. Brands like Grove Collaborative use clean ingredients and sustainable packaging, and they can be found alongside regular cleaning products in most grocery stores. It’s also easy and even more affordable to make DIY cleaners! If you’re not sure where to start, try out this super simple recipe for a sustainable all-purpose cleaner:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 cup water
- A few drops of essential oil of your choice
7. Spend More Time in Nature
As college students, our lives are incredibly busy and often hectic. Some days, the only time I get to spend outside is on my walk to or from class. This year, I want to be more intentional about getting outside and spending time in nature. Just 30 minutes outside each day can do wonders for our physical and mental well-being!
8. Read More Books
While this goal isn’t inherently sustainable, there are many great books about sustainability and the climate crisis to help us become more educated on the issues that matter most this year. If you’re looking for recommendations, a few of my favorites are Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, All We Can Save by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, and The Intersectional Environmentalist by Leah Thomas. You can find a full list of climate-related books here. You can also make reading more sustainable by visiting your local library or used bookstore and browsing their options before purchasing a new book.
9. Shop Less Online. Shop More Local!
Despite the convenience and affordability of ordering online, e-commerce creates a significant carbon footprint while also contributing to our excessive consumption habits. Online shopping has created a demand for fast shopping, where buyers place an order in seconds and receive their purchase in only a few days. On the other hand, local shopping significantly decreases the carbon footprint of purchasing because the goods do not travel far from the seller to the buyer. Local shopping is slow shopping, and while it may take more time and effort, it brings us one step closer to becoming more conscious consumers.
10. Plant a Tree
Planting a tree is perhaps the most effective way to directly contribute to the preservation of the environment within our communities. While it may seem like a daunting goal, the Univerisity of Kentucky provides several opportunities for students to make this goal achievable! Each year, the Urban Forest Initiative hosts Tree Week, where students can participate in tree plantings, nature walks, and educational programs. The Arboretum also provides yearly opportunities for free tree planting, as well. Make a lasting difference for your community this year and plant a tree!
Let us know in the comments below which resolution you are most excited to achieve!
