Your Green New Year's Resolutions
Choosing the right New Year’s resolution is hard, and more often than not we don’t follow through on our lofty goals. This year, use your New Year’s resolution to give back to the environment. These simple ideas won’t eat up a bunch of time or effort, but they’re a great starting point for becoming a better environmental steward in 2021.
Learn to Compost
Reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. The City of Largo has some great composting resources.
Wear Pre-Loved Fashion
New textiles are water- and resource-intensive. Next time you treat yourself to a new wardrobe piece, opt for a visit to your favorite secondhand clothing store, or plan a clothing swap with your friends.
Read More
I mean real live books, not ebooks or articles on your phone, because physical books require zero energy to use. Head to your local library or favorite used bookstore and nab a new read. Bonus points if you choose an environmental title.
Avoid Single-Use Plastics
It’s the perfect time of year to invest in a faucet water filtration system, a reusable water bottle, portable bamboo utensils, and fabric shopping bags. Plastic waste breaks down into microplastics, so every plastic item you refuse is a win for the environment.
Shorten Your Showers
If you’re looking for a way to save water, consider your showers. The maximum flow rate a shower head in the U.S. is permitted to have is 2.5 gallons per minute, which means if you take 10 minute showers, you’re going through 25 gallons of water every time you shower. Consider reducing your shower time, or spacing your showers farther apart (every other day is fine, we promise!)
Pick a Plant-Based Meal
Meat is a resource-intensive food, and cutting some meat out of your diet helps reduce your food footprint. You don’t have to go full vegan to reduce the environmental impact of your choices. Pick a daily meal (or even a weekly meal) and go vegetarian or vegan for that meal.
Start a Kitchen Garden
Sourcing local ingredients is a great way to reduce your personal environmental impact, and it doesn’t get more local than eating food from your own garden. Herbs like basil are simple to grow indoors. Start small and as you get the hang of things, scale up!
Donate
If you find yourself with some extra cash next year, your favorite environmental organizations would love a donation. Consider supporting local nonprofits when you decide where to give your hard-earned cash!
Get Involved
This year it’s time to get your hands dirty. Participate in an environmental event, like a cleanup, once a season. You can do this on your own by participating in #PickUpPinellas around your neighborhood, or by adopting a stretch of roadway, trail, shoreline, or community.
We learned a lot about being kind to ourselves and to others during this difficult year. Let’s all agree to extend that kindness to the environment in 2021.