By Cristian DeRusha, Farm Director at Arden
The New Year is a time to refresh, restart, and get motivated. New Year’s resolutions are made to start the new year on the right foot and hopefully end it better than when you started. But did you know that only 9% of people successfully keep their resolutions?
It’s time to make resolutions that you can feel good about keeping all year long. I’m excited to share some easy ideas that will keep you and our planet healthier in 2023.
Get Healthy and Plant a Backyard Garden
Are you making plans to get healthy in 2023? If you are planning a healthier approach to your eating habits in the upcoming year, try planting a backyard garden. Not only will you have direct access to fresh produce to cook and snack healthier, but gardening also has an incredible impact on mental health, weight loss, increased physical activity, and your general quality of life. Starting a garden is easy, and it checks off so many boxes for traditional New Year’s resolutions.
Invite the Neighborhood To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Trying to find a way around the scaling gas prices? If your New Year’s resolution is to budget better, try carpooling, ridesharing, biking or public transportation! Whether you’re going to school or the office, carpooling is an efficient way to commute. Aside from saving money on gas, you’ll rest easy knowing that you’ve helped reduce emissions of harmful pollutants and holiday traffic! Not to mention that a music-filled carpool with friends each morning can be a great way to start your day.
Drink More Water and Reduce Your Plastic Waste
Is your New Year’s resolution to drink more water? Purchasing a reusable water bottle is an easy, sustainable, and stylish way to dramatically reduce your plastic waste! The water bottling process releases 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. Using a reusable water bottle means that billions of plastic bottles won’t end up in landfills or the oceans killing marine life. And besides helping save the planet, you will also be saving yourself close to $260 per year!
Shop Local and Invest in Reusable Bags
Is your New Year’s goal to support your local community? Are you tired of constantly piling up single-use plastic bags after each shopping trip? Don’t worry, here is how you can tackle both! A great way to support your local community is by supporting local businesses. Find a local farmer’s market, clothing, or homeware shop to reduce your carbon footprint. While you are busy shopping, don’t forget to invest in reusable shopping bags. You can get easy to reuse bags for cheap at local grocery stores, so they won’t break your bank. This will reduce your carbon footprint and plastic waste while also helping you shop comfortably and look stylish while you do it!
Develop Your Wardrobe and Donate or Upcycle New Clothes
Feel like you need to reinvent your style? If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be more fashion forward, try developing your wardrobe through shopping for unique vintage pieces in thrift stores. Giving away any clothes? Donate to your local thrift shop, charity shop or salvation army. Of the 100 billion garments produced each year, 92 million tons end up in landfills annually. With old trends coming back into style, there’s no shortage of eco-friendly ways to look great in 2023.
New Year’s resolutions can be hard to stick with, but these are just a few easy ways to start 2023 off with an (eco-friendly) bang!