8 eco-friendly new year’s resolutions we’re going to (actually) keep in 2021
We love ambitious go-getter goals, but if you’re like us, we often go into the new year with a slew of objectives that feel more overwhelming than inspiring. Especially when it comes to living a more eco-friendly life, there is so much to do (and even more not to do). Do: use your reusables, ride your bikes, and switch to LED lights. But don’t: use plastic, drive cars, travel on a plane, the list goes on and on. It’s a lot to process! So, instead of aiming for zero-waste, eco perfection overnight, we’re setting smaller, more reasonable eco-friendly resolutions and we’re going to put our everything into keeping them. Without further ado, here are our goals at Wholesome Culture for 2021. We hope one or two resonate with you on your journey through 2021 — and every year that follows.
8 eco-friendly new year’s resolutions for 2021
1. Stop using plastic take-out utensils
Have you been ordering take-out a lot recently? Yeah, same with us. That’s why we carry our reusable bamboo utensils everywhere we go, from the living room to neighborhood parks. And while we’re at it, we’re also vowing to not use plastic straws either. Shop our Be The Change Bamboo Straws: here.
2. Buy more local produce 
We hear about the importance of eating local a lot. But why is it *actually* beneficial for the Earth? Here’s the gist: When we buy local, we’re cutting down on transportation emissions since chain grocery stores regularly ship in food from all over the globe. Plus, shopping at local markets helps local economies thrive, which create jobs right in your city while also building a real sense of community. Want to learn more about ways to embrace local food? Check out this post: How to hop on the local eating trend no matter where you live
3. Share vegan recipes with friends
What better way to introduce others to a plant-based lifestyle (in a non-pushy way) than with vegan chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies? Seriously, these are SO good — they’re sure to make even your most skeptical friends excited about vegan baked goods.
Here are more of our favorite recipes from The Wholesome Culture Cookbook:
4. Take more time away from the phones
Taking more breaks from the screens is good for mental health and it reduces our carbon footprints. We know it can be a lot easier said than done, so here are our top tips for a digital detox:
- Unfollow accounts that don’t lift you up
- Set limits on screen time
- Schedule “do not disturb” hours
For more tips on how to spend less time with your devices, check out this post: How to start a digital detox – 9 Simple Steps
5. Plan purchases more mindfully
Here’s the truth, the most eco-friendly thing we can do is simple: buy less stuff to begin with. Of course, things come up, clothes wear out, and devices break. But when we plan our purchases, we not only shop more mindfully, but we also make the shopping experience more of an “event.” That way, when we do buy something new it’s extra special and not just something we did impulsively on a Thursday night while watching Netflix (been there!).
6. Walk more
2020 renewed our love of walking just because — and that’s something we want to carry on in the new year. Neighborhood strolls, walks around the park, and mornings spent putting our feet to pavement have turned into soul-filling moments, making space to both connect with ourselves and Mother Earth. Plus, when we skip the car and rely on our feet we are doing good for our bodies and the planet.
7. Watch our water usage
Ok, this isn’t the most exciting tip, but it’s an important one. Water is truly life. We need it for cooking food, maintaining hygiene, hydrating our bodies, and so many other things. However, even though water is infinitely valuable that doesn’t mean water is in infinite supply. According to The World Wildlife Fund, less than three percent of water on Earth is freshwater. And only a portion of that water is accessible. Therefore, they cite, about 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water, and about 2.7 billion find water scarce for at least one month of the year. Meaning, close to half of the world’s population deals with water shortages of some sort.
One way to reduce your water use is to eat less meat, as studies show that someone following a plant-based diet uses five times less water than someone with a more meat-based diet.
Other ways to cut down on water:
- In the bathroom: Take shorter showers, switch to a low-flow shower head, turn tap off when brushing teeth
- In the kitchen: Use dishwater on only full loads, soak pots and pans rather than scrubbing them while water runs, invest in a water efficient faucet
- In the garden/backyard: Water plants during coldest part of day, use drip lines, convert your lawn into eco-friendly landscaping
8. Say NO more
This can be one of the most efficient (but often difficult) ways to be more eco-friendly. Saying “no” to things you don’t need or want (receipts, flyers, even trips you’re not excited about) will give you more space to love things and people that matter most to you.
The big takeaway:
New year’s resolutions are great ways to set new goals or recharge existing ones with new motivation. And when it comes to living more intentionally with Mother Earth in mind, every step makes a difference. However, just like we want to be kind to the planet, we also want to be kind to ourselves. Slip ups happen, we all have good days and bad days. So don’t forget to celebrate the wins and the changes you have made.
Want to go into 2021 with more kindness and positivity? Check out these reads!
