Posts Tagged ‘eco-friendly new years resolutions’

Five Eco-Friendly New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions are usually the perfect balance of terrifying, overwhelming, and cliché. They hold you accountable, will push you out of your comfort zone, and force you to reevaluate your life. Or it’s just the opposite, and you come up with something stale and boring – a goal you will forget about in two weeks and will never be reached. 

While most of the trendy New Year’s resolutions are based on personal betterment, the New Year is also the perfect occasion to think about ways you can positively impact the planet. Keep reading to check out five small changes you can implement in 2021 to help the environment!

Go paperless.

Not only will this contribute to your clutter-free resolution, but it will also help the earth. We live in a digital world, but there are still many things that inexplicably still use paper. Studies show that Americans use a lot of paper, and it’s hurting our environment. 

Fortunately, there are many places where you can opt-out of paper. Some of those areas include:

  • Sign up for email statements and online digital payments.
  • Request no receipts at grocery stores and Fast-Food restaurants. 
  • Utilize apps for keeping a calendar, creating a to-do list.
  • Consider switching your favorite print media to an online version. 

Green up your commute. 

Vehicles have a significant impact on our environment, and it’s not a positive one. According to the EPA, vehicle transportation accounts for more than 30 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.

Anything you can do to reduce your transportation footprint this year by walking, biking, taking public transportation, or telecommuting, even if it’s just one day a week, will help both the environment and your wallet.

Start composting. 

Composting is an incredible way to give back to the planet. There is a common misconception that food simply breaks down in a landfill without any issue. However, those veggie scraps from that salad you made will rot and produce methane gas if not composted.

There are several ways to compost but if you don’t have a garden, try collecting your food scraps and keeping it in the freezer during the week. When you’re ready, bring the leftovers to your local farmer’s market if they have a compost station. You can also ask your local natural foods store if they compost.

Invest in reusable items. 

Investing in reusable items like shopping bags and water bottles will make a huge difference. Because they aren’t easily recycled, plastic bags end up in landfills; however, they don’t always stay there. They’re so lightweight and end up being lifted by the wind and polluting nature, interfering with our water sources, our trees, and animal habitats. Buying a reusable shopping bag is a low-cost, one-time purchase that could significantly impact the environment and will greatly cut down on your plastic consumption.

While you’re at it, make a small investment in a reusable coffee tumbler to bring to your favorite coffee shop and a water bottle to fill up wherever you go. It will be a big investment in our planet’s future.

Revamp your family’s eating habits.

The food we eat is energy for our body, so it’s crucial to think about what we’re introducing into our diet.

Try buying fresh, organic food, fruits, vegetables, and eggs as much as possible. Visiting your local farmer’s market is great for your health and the planet. You’re supporting local organic farming that doesn’t involve pesticides or excessive transportation. You’re also helping out a local business owner who appreciates your support – it’s a win-win! 

Cutting down on meat, even just one day a week, is also an eco-friendly resolution. Get your whole family involved by introducing meatless Mondays and asking for their input on creative meatless menu items. 

Now that you’re equipped with some attainable and sustainable resolutions for 2021 pick some and start saving the world! It may not seem like much, but small commitments like not using plastic straws and buying reusable shopping bags can have a lasting impact on our environment for years to come. 

Hopefully, these ideas will get you started to a greener, more sustainable lifestyle for the New Year. However, if you still have concerns about recycling and eco-friendly living in general, Carolina Fibre is here to help. Check out our blog for more tips, or contact us today!

Carolina Fibre Staff Spotlight: Janet Tucker’s Sustainability Resolutions

As an eco-conscious company, Carolina Fibre is always looking for new individuals and companies that are ready to go green. The start of a new year brings opportunities to spread positive impact on the earth, lower costs, reduce waste and inspire others to be proactive in the cause. To kick off 2015, we are excited to share the resolutions and views of one of our own team members: Janet Tucker.
When Janet came to Carolina Fibre six years ago as our administrative assistant, we knew she shared our passion and commitment to sustainability. In addition to working as a team to save energy at the office, Janet uses her own tricks at home that everyone should adapt themselves! One way Janet saves energy is using a programmable thermostat for different times of the day (including leaving for vacations) to control heating and cooling output. Too few of us realize just how much energy and money we could save if we paid a little more attention to our thermostat usage. According to the Department of Energy, residential thermostats make up 9% of the United State’s energy use. That’s why leaving it on too high and for long periods of time results in high power bills. Janet is also in the process of replacing her bathrooms’ recessed light bulbs with plug-in LED units. The LEDs project a better illumination—they actually save you money. Her family also collects and stores tins, bottles, plastics, papers and cardboard to take to a local recycling receptacle each weekend.
Looking at her personal resolutions, Janet is very clear about her focus, “When it comes to recycling and saving energy, I believe awareness is the key. We focus on changing how we live in view of improving earth stewardship.” As for what she would like to see Carolina Fibre achieve this year, Janet is determined for the team to strengthen existing client relationships, continue to improve their processes and to prepare for the needs of their customers and clients for optimal company performance.
When it comes to being ecologically aware, Janet follows two quotes that bring so much meaning and purpose to her green lifestyle:

  • “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
  • “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it! Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Remember, going green doesn’t have to happen overnight. It’s about the little steps you take and the adjustments you make that will benefit you, those around you and the world we live in.
What energy saving tricks does your office use on a daily basis? We’d love to hear your ideas!