Happy New Year! Let’s all strive to make this our least wasteful year yet. Zero waste looks different for everyone, but here are 24 eco-friendly New Year’s Resolutions to get you started with a Zero Waste New Year from energy conservation to volunteering to education and so much more.

Let us know your zero-waste goals for the New Year down below and check out videos of years past for more low-waste New Year’s resolutions.

Read 1x eco book per month

Reading looks different for everyone. If you’re a big reader, try 2 or more books per month and if you’re too busy, try less. The point with this goal is to continue educating yourself about climate change, waste, and more. You can even “read” as a busy person with audiobooks and even get them free with your library card connected to apps like Libby and Hoopla. Other eco-friendly ways to read are to get them second-hand at second-hand book stores, online via Thriftbooks, swap books or borrow books from friends, or try e-books.

Here is my list of recommended books.

Watch 1x eco-documentary per month

Similar to that, this is for the movie lovers out there. Educate yourself about your desired climate topic of choice via a movie or documentary. Again, maybe you want to up this goal or lower it to fit your schedule, but this is a great way to stay informed, learn something new, and care for the planet. You can even try this for free via your library’s movie rentals!

Here are movies I recommend.

Make your hobby eco

That’s right, you don’t have to give up your hobbies to live zero waste! In fact, many hobbies can be made eco-friendly. I encourage you to try to find ways to make your hobbies zero waste. We already talked about reading and you can learn more about zero-waste hobbies in this video. Here is how I make my hobbies low waste for example:

Crochet: second-hand yarn, natural fibers, or upcycled fibers via Darn Good Yarns
Hiking: choosing second-hand gear or gear made from recycled materials or using what I already have and bringing zero-waste hiking swaps with me
Videogames: buying digital games, buying consoles second-hand, and storing it correctly to prevent damage

Vote in ALL elections

It’s a BIG election year this year (if you’re reading this in 2024) so get out and vote ALL YEAR! Yes, the presidential election this year is going to be majorly important for the future of the planet, but so are your small elections. We want eco-minded folks as mayors, as governors, as our senate members, and everyone in between, not just the president. If you’re not registered to vote, you can register right now here.

Bonus resolution, write and call your elected officials. They are public servants and we elected them to represent us so tell them how to represent you. When environmental issues come up, tell them how you would vote if you were in their shoes and ask them to vote for the planet and our futures. Learn more about how to contact your elected officials here.

Donate your time or money 1x a month

Get out in your community and give back to the people and the planet. This could look like a tree-planting campaign, a trash clean-up, or volunteering with conservation organizations or it could look like giving back to the people in your community via food banks, shelters, and more. Whatever you’re passionate about, volunteer that way. Even if it doesn’t reduce or clean up waste, community building is extremely important in the fight for climate change and human justice IS climate justice (and vice versa).

Maybe you don’t have time but have some extra money to spare, donate to these organizations instead. I highly encourage you to donate your money locally to benefit your community and neighbors, but if you don’t have one in mind, here is my list of organizations you can choose from.

Learn how to recycle and recycle correctly this year

Stop the wishcycling! Wishcycling is throwing stuff in your recycling bin in the hopes that it will be recycled without actually knowing if it’s accepted for recycling or not. It can lead to more waste ending up in landfills versus actually being recycled. You can learn more about wishcycling here.

Learn your local recycling rules, all areas are different. But, for the most part, some general rules are to make sure your recycling is clean and dry and most places only accept plastics #1 and #2, cardboard, paper, and metal. A lot of places take glass too, but it can be hard in rural areas. You can learn more about what NOT to recycle in this video and this video.

Pick 1 wasteful thing to give up every month

You would be surprised what we’re marketed to buy that we don’t actually need. In fact, many of these things you don’t even need to get a zero-waste swap for, just simply stop buying them! Some examples for me are paper towels, makeup remover pads, ziplock bags, saran wrap, dryer sheets, fabric softener, and more. You can learn about some things I no longer buy in this video to save money and save the planet.

Pick at least one per month that works for you to stop buying and see how many you can get to by the end of the year and try to calculate the savings!

Try a new zero-waste swap or habit every month

Some wasteful things need to have a swap to replace them, so try your hand at a new zero waste swap per month this year. Pick them now and stick to those swaps around the first of the month. Even seasoned zero-wasters can try new swaps! Here are a few ideas (more of which we will talk about later in this post):

Beginner swaps/habits:

Reusable water bottle
Reusable grocery bags
Reusable coffee cup
Silicone baking mat
Recycled toilet paper
Bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste tabs or toothpaste in recyclable packaging
Refillable shampoo and conditioner or shampoo and conditioner bars
Refillable deodorant or deodorant in cardboard
Ditch the paper towels and use rags instead
Swap plastic sponges for bioplastic ones or a wooden dishbrush
Try eco-friendly laundry detergent
Learn how to recycle correctly

Intermediate swaps/habits:

Use reusable tissues
Use reusable makeup remover wipes
Learn a new way to cook with food waste
Learn how to mend
Start composting
Go vegan partially or fully
Be mindful of electricity usage
Be mindful of water usage
Learn how to spot greenwashing and avoid it
Try buying mostly secondhand
Learn how to avoid impulse purchases
Change your coffee (reusable K-cup, French press, or reusable coffee filter for a pot) or tea routine (loose-leaf tea in a French press or reusable tea infuser)

Advanced swaps/habits:

Get a bidet
Use reusable tissue paper
Start a garden
Get a rain barrel
Give up your car for good or part of the time
Eco-fy your lawn (learn more below)
Switch your bank to one that does not invest in fossil fuels
Switch to renewable energy if possible
Catch gray water in your home and reuse it
Line-dry your clothes
Learn how to make some foods yourself
Plan your meals and grocery list so you don’t overbuy and waste food

Make your school or workplace more eco

Don’t just keep your goals to yourself, help others to be more zero waste as well! This could look like starting a recycling program, educating via a presentation, opting for recycled toilet paper or printer paper, and so much more. Here are some more resources for you:

Zero waste school and office supplies

Zero waste in a college dorm

How to make your school zero waste

How to make your office zero waste

Fly and/or drive less this year

In short, reduce your reliance on fossil fuels (more ways to do that in this video). This could look like carpooling to work or school, reducing the number of cars in your family (we became a 1 car household in 2023!), walking or biking where possible, catching public transport if available, and even driving or taking a train over flying for your vacations this year. For example, we’re going to Florida at the end of 2023 and we decided to rent a hybrid vehicle over driving our 20-mpg truck and also instead of flying. It’s not perfect, but every small actions matter!

Follow some new eco-creators

This is a great to broaden your views about climate change, intersectionality, and much more. Following just one or a few eco creators who all look the same (usually white women) can lead to bias and/or just not getting the full story of climate change and how it affects different demographics. Plus, everyone offers a unique take on waste reduction! While I focus on zero waste on a budget others focus on food waste, making homemade food, fast fashion, zero waste swaps, and so many more topics. Keep learning via other creators! Here’s my list :)

Create a self-care routine

Wait, this is eco-friendly?! In a way, yes! We cannot take care of the planet if we’re sick, tired, bogged down, and stressed. The better we take care of ourselves, the better we can take care of the planet. Make sure you make it an eco-friendly routine ;) Here are some examples of things to add to start your routine:

Drink more water (in reusable cups and bottles)
Journal (in recycled or second-hand notebooks)
Go on walks around your neighborhood
Enjoy your hobbies
Light eco-friendly candles
Enjoy a book
And so much more!

Get outside!

Just like building a self-care routine (in fact, this can be part of your routine) this can help keep you healthy physically and mentally. Plus, getting outside helps to remind you what we’re protecting and why we’re protecting it! It doesn’t have to be a trip to a National or State Park every weekend, sitting on your porch or walking around the block counts as well. Try to make this a daily habit for fresh air and exercise.

Build or join a community

For me, finding a community of like-minded folks keeps me educated and inspired and gives me someone to vent to if I have climate or waste anxiety. This could be an online community such as a Facebook group (i.e. Zero Waste Las Vegas) or an in-person community such as an eco-club at your school or a community group. If there’s not one in your area, start one!

It’s super easy to start an online community via Facebook to share local ways to reduce waste, small businesses to support, and so forth. But, it can also be easy to start an in-person group, too. All you need is a meeting place, a meeting time, and a way to advertise it so people show up!

Don’t forget to schedule regular meet-ups!

Learn a new waste-fighting skill this year

Sometimes waste reduction isn’t about what swaps we buy but what habits we create and skills we learn. Here are some waste-reducing skills you could try to pick up this year:

Baking (making sourdough or other breads, making granola bars, using food waste in your recipes, etc)
Mending (sewing, woodworking, upholstery, cobbling, etc)
Propagating plants and potting them in secondhand or upcycled containers versus buying new plants
Making your own clothes (sewing, crocheting, knitting, etc)
Upcycling

Make it a goal to learn one or more of these skills and regularly implement them in your year.

Not only shop small, but eat small

I think I talk about shopping small in each of these videos, which is super important, so definitely do that too when possible, but also, let’s support our local cafes and restaurants this year vs wasteful chains. Even if they aren’t perfectly zero waste or even close to zero waste, small businesses are inherently less wasteful and honestly, it just feels better to support your neighbor versus a billionaire! Make it a goal to eat locally whenever you go out.

A local restaurant, a one-man-team in Cincinnati!

Do a monthly declutter and donate responsibly

Decluttering is a great way to take care of our overall health by having less clutter and things to clean and care for. But, do so responsibly. Don’t declutter and throw stuff away (unless it’s truly garbage). Instead, find a local thrift store or shelter to donate to. That’s right, I said local. If your only option is a big chain such as Goodwill, that’s fine, but if you have options, choose local. You can learn more about why that is in this video.

Take care of your skin, but make it sustainable

I feel like this is a popular New Year’s Resolution, it was my goal last year in fact! But, let’s do so sustainably. Use what you have first. Use that sunscreen and moisturizer and lotion as long as it’s not expired and then buy something new and trendy later. Once you do need new items, here are some suggestions:

The Rebrand or Upcircle Beauty refillable skincare
Plaine Products refillable lotion
Ethique DIY lotion
Sunscreen from Butter Me Up Organics, Krave Beauty, Sun JuJu, Sea and Summit, and Sunbutter
Use reusable make-up remover wipes
Toner from Zerra and Co
Clean make-up from Zerra and Co, Axiology, The Tart Peach
Tattoo balms from Ohana Organics, Lovett Sundries, and Nova Scotia Fishermen

Set a cleaning routine but make it eco

What a great time to make routines for keeping your home fresh and clean all year long! I’m sure this is a popular New Year’s Resolution, too, but let’s make it eco-friendly with these brands and swaps:

Use rags and hand towels instead of paper towels
Switch to bioplastic sponges and wooden brushes instead of plastic
For cleaners, here are a few options: Clean Cult, Blueland, and Grove Collective
Try natural DIY cleaners such as a citrus-vinegar cleaner or just use baking soda, vinegar, and lemon to clean
Use reusable mop heads or swiffer pads vs disposable ones
Use dryer balls vs dryer sheets and try some eco-friendly laundry detergents
Use the bare minimum! What I mean is you don’t need a counter cleaner and a floor cleaner and a grout cleaner and a bathroom cleaner and a laundry cleaner. Even if they’re not eco, just use one general-purpose cleaner for all your cleaning needs.

opt for an eco upgrade when buying new

What I mean is, if your lightbulbs die or you need a new washing machine, get an eco-friendly one. This could look like getting one secondhand or getting one brand new but if you get one brand new, try to find the most eco-friendly version on the market. That could look like energy or water conservation or even something made from recycled materials.

The same goes for products we consume regularly like toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, and so forth. When you run out, try an eco-alternative instead this time! Here are a few places you can shop for zero-waste swaps:

Eco-ternatives
Earth Hero
Package Free Shop

connect with your natural world

Don’t just get outside this year, learn about your local plants and animals while you do so! It takes practice to commit them to memory, so keep IDing them until you get it right. This could look like finding local classes. Our local parks system in Ohio offers classes such as birding, plant ID, and so forth. Or maybe you go out on your own with some apps that can help you. My favorite for birds is the Merlin App and my favorite for plants and other animals is Seek. Both are free!

Make your yard eco-friendly

Having a traditional lawn is one of the worst things we do for biodiversity. Learn more about why they are just so wasteful in this video. So, if you can, make your lawn a biodiversity haven! I know what it’s like to live in an HOA and be a renter, so do what you can if this is your goal for the year. Here are a few ideas:

Stop mowing or keep the grass longer, don’t trim it so short. Longer grass will attract more bugs and animals and also help in flood prevention
If you live in the desert, consider replacing your waster-intensive grass with rocks and native plants
But also everyone should be planting native plants no matter where you live! This is great for soil health, flood control, and providing local food and shelter to wildlife
Set up a bird bath and clean it! Not cleaning your bird bath and lead to the spread of disease among birds
The same goes for bird feeders, clean them! Make sure you’re also filling it with seeds that are healthy for the birds and won’t grow invasive species
Plant pollinator-friendly plants to keep them fed and attract them. This is a huge bonus if you have a garden, more pollinators for your plants!
Also, give the pollinators watering stations. It can be hard for bees, butterflies, moths, and other bugs to drink out of deep bird baths, so give them something shallower to drink out of
Build a bat box to help local bat populations! Many scientists believe bats are keystone species and they are very important night pollinators and pest controllers
Leave the leaves in the fall! If you have too many, compost them. Don’t even mulch them if you can help it. Leaves offer nutrients for the grass and soil and also provide a habitat for hibernating critters and bugs

Plant trees!

Sure, you can go out and plant trees, but here’s an easier way: plant trees while you walk with Treecard and plant trees while you search with Ecosia! I love both of these free apps that ACTUALLY plant trees and encourage you to get moving.

If you want to plant trees IRL, plant them on your property or look for tree-planting events near you. We did one in Vegas with a local tree-planting organization. Please don’t just go planting trees willy-nilly on public land. It’s illegal and can be dangerous!

Calculate your carbon footprint

I know, I know, the carbon footprint is a scam (learn more here), but it’s still important! Maybe none of these resolutions resonated with you (say that 10x fast). Calculating your carbon footprint will give you the areas in your life where you create the most emissions and can help you figure out some goals for this next year.

That’s it! 24 ways to live zero waste in 2024. I hope this inspires you to have your more zero-waste new year yet! If I didn’t mention your low-waste goals, leave your eco New Year’s Resolutions below so that we can be inspired by more ideas.

Thanks for reading along and thanks for being with me for another year, it means the world to me.

Happy New Year! Let’s keep making our home a better place. As always, remember that your small actions make a big difference in the long run :)

Emma

Zero Waste New Year’s Resolutions for a Low Waste 2024!