Eight Eco-friendly Ways to Start the New Year

As the end of the year approaches, it is best to set aside some time from the chaotic and frantic holiday season to prepare yourself and your home to achieve eco-friendly goals for the upcoming year. The following are eight simple eco-friendly solutions for setting yourself in the right path.

1) Schedule your meals by the week
It is important to plan ahead your meals for the week. As you browse through weekly grocery ads, you can start preparing and planning for your meals for each week. Also, be sure to have a few weekly organic staples included in your grocery shopping list: organic milk, organic seasonal fruit, organic seasonal vegetables and frozen organic food.

2) De-clutter your home
Instead of purchasing post-holiday celebratory items that might be on sale, consider only purchasing items that can be used year round. For example, you should avoid buying snowman/santa themed items, instead you can purchase red plates. The red plates can be used again throughout the year for Valentine's Day, Fourth of July and birthday celebrations. Also, just by purchasing items that can used year round, you are saving the environment and avoiding unnecessary disposable seasonal purchases.

3) Organize your clothes
As the winter season continues, take stock of your winter clothing inventory and organize your clothes by frequency of use and outfits. For outfits that you rarely wear, place them in difficult to reach places or in a bin that may be used for donations by spring time. By seeing your clothes in an orderly fashion, you will be in a better position to assess whether you really need to purchase another end of the season sweater or outfit.

4) Use gift cards or donate the gift cards immediately
Instead of saving your gift cards, make sure you use your gift cards right away on items you were planning to purchase or need. The retail industry profits from gift cards that are not used. Therefore, if you cannot redeem the gift card for cash, donate the gift card to a local charity. Your local library will be able to take the gift card and use it as a raffle for fundraising efforts.

5) Determine if you really need it new or if a gently used item will do the job
Setting ego aside, there are many items that can be purchased online that have been gently used. You save a lot of money and you are also helping the environment by ensuring that the item does not go to a landfill. The following are examples of items that can be bought gently used: musical instruments, home improvement power tools, electronics, clothing and toys.

6) Set up a donation bin at a local elementary school
Ask the PTA and/or school administration if it is possible for them to set up a donation bin for gently used items for collection at school. Some classrooms have "fake money" that is awarded to students for their work and the students are able to use their "fake money" to buy these gently used items on sale days. It is a great way to see your used items gain value and appreciated by students and help schools supply students with valuable monetary skills.

7) Travel more efficiently
With gas prices going up again, it's important to set aside some time and assess how much money you currently spend on driving your car. You can set up a carpool for dropping off and picking up your kids, going to work, grocery shopping, mall shopping, and just about any other destination. Be friend a few neighbors and come into an agreement on when you can jointly go grocery shopping via carpool. Take mass transit whenever possible.

8) Commit to having a garden
Whether you live in a house with a yard or an apartment complex, you have room for a garden. For indoor apartments, you can grow several different herbs (such as thyme, oregano, basil, and peppermint). For outdoor gardens, you can easily grow several types of fruits and/or vegetables (such as tomatoes, red peppers, strawberries, cucumbers). Be sure to avoid growing vine based plants unless you have half an acre or larger lot (vine plants include melons and pumpkins).

Aim to do any or all of the above and you will begin the new year with some measurable eco-friendly success that can carry you throughout the next 365 days.