The best New Year resolution you and everyone in your house can make this year is to become an eco-friendly family. Committing to going green is not only better for the environment but will save your family money over time. Many people shy away from going green because they think it’s expensive or difficult to do. But that simply isn’t true.
That’s why we’ve put together three New Year resolutions or tips that’ll make your family’s eco-friendly transition easier. And whether this is your first venture into going green, or you’re a seasoned pro, you’re sure to find something in this list that’ll help you make every day a little greener.
Eco-Friendly Family Tip #1: Commit To More Outdoor Activities
If spending more time with your family is also a New Year resolution, good news, you can accomplish two resolutions at once. Because one of the best ways to help the environment is to spend more time in it.
That’s right, instead of going to the movies, an amusement park, or anything else expensive, try doing something in nature. Bonus points if you don’t drive to this activity. Activities like biking, hiking, gardening, and lawn games are all easy ways to be greener. Think about it, you’re not using gas to drive to the activity, and at the activity, you’re not buying any single-use plastic or using electricity.
Plus, many outdoor activities are free or inexpensive. So you can save money while your family spends time bonding together. And if you’ve had a goal to reduce your family’s screentime, this is the perfect solution. The more time you spend outside, the less your family will want screen time. Spending time together outside is an easy way to keep everyone motivated and active.
Eco-Friendly Family Tip #2: Purchase Household Goods From Zero- Waste Stores
Most American households are filled with single-use plastic products. Everything from bathroom hygiene items like soaps and lotions to kitchen items like cooking oils and cleaning products. These single-use plastic containers not only take up space in our homes but in our landfills too. All this plastic takes hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of years to break down.
So instead of continuing to purchase single-use plastic products, your family could commit to purchasing from a local zero-waste store. Zero-waste stores allow you to bring your own product storage container to refill instead of purchasing the same product in single-use plastic. For example, you would bring empty mason jars or reusable gallon bags and fill them with whatever items you may need.
You can find almost everything you usually purchase for your family at a zero-waste store. Plus, because you’re only paying for the product itself and not the additional packaging, you’ll find that buying from the zero-waste store is more budget-friendly. It’s an easy way for your family to go green while saving some green.
Eco-Friendly Family Tip #3: Donate Unwanted Items Instead Of Throwing Them Away
Being eco-friendly doesn’t need to be complicated. A big way a lot of people can be greener is by donating unwanted items instead of throwing them away. This might sound obvious, but a lot of people throw away perfectly good items because they believe no one else will want them. But millions and millions of pounds of unwanted items are thrown away each year that could’ve been donated and repurposed.
So the next time you’re cleaning or even doing a full house declutter, set aside a pile of items that can be donated instead of thrown away. This can be anything and everything. Think old clothes, kitchen appliances, sheets, towels, furniture, and toys. If it was once a valuable item in your house, it could be a valuable item in someone else’s.
Plus, teaching kids the importance of donating is a skill they’ll remember throughout their lives. Start by donating clothes they don’t fit into and then encourage them to donate toys they don’t play with. This behavior will set them up for sustainable and eco-friendly success in the future.