As we say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020, many people are considering what lifestyle changes to make. Should you adopt a new workout regime? Include more veggies into your diet? Maybe drink more water?
While all of these changes would put your year off to a good start and focus on your own health, it’s important to also think about the planet when planning your New Year’s resolutions. As parents, we want to set a good example for the next generation and leave a better world than we found.
Consider making some eco-friendly choices the whole family can participate in this year!
Try Meatless Monday
Studies show that the impact of farming animals and consuming meat on the planet is enormous. From the space it takes to raise these animals to the amount of water used, meat production has its negative side effects. Instead of cutting consumption entirely, try implementing one day a week that your family goes without meat. Meatless Monday is an initiative that encourages people to not eat meat one day out of the week, which is very doable.
Actively save energy
A second way you and your family can be environmentally conscious this year is by actively attempting to save energy in your home. To do this, you can start by simply swapping out your current light bulbs for LED. These light bulbs have longer lives and require less energy than their counterparts overall.
To take your energy-saving a step further, consider investing in a smart thermostat for your home. Not only do these thermostats offer great features like voice activation and the ability to stream music, but they also automatically check and adjust temperatures throughout the house to reduce your carbon footprint. Win-win!
Buy local
When it’s time to go grocery shopping, consider choosing a farmer’s market or local vendor over a chain grocery store. In addition to the benefit of supporting businesses in your area, shopping locally is much better for the environment. Grocery stores typically source their produce from thousands of miles away – sometimes from coast to coast – which is a heavy cost and is not ideal for the environment. Plus, making trips to the farmer’s market is a fun outing for the family!
Purchase second hand clothing
As we all know, kids grow like weeds! This means that they also grow out of clothes quickly, often creating a cycle of purchasing new clothes and not having any use for them within a few months. Unfortunately, buying new isn’t always the best option for our little ones, as it takes nearly 3,000 liters of water to make just one T-shirt! Instead, you can take your kids to a local thrift store or ask family and friends for hand-me-downs. It’ll be fun to start an exchange with people you know and the clothes your kids have grown out of might just be given a second life with another family!
Opt for brands that share your values
When making this lifestyle change, it’s important to become aware of and support brands that are on the same page as you. Here are three brands that are making the environment a top priority:
1. Scout by Warby Parker
Warby Parker has been part of the eyewear industry for years, but recently launched its new contact lens brand, Scout. With the environment in mind, Scout’s daily lenses come in small blister packs that use nearly 80% less packaging than the average contacts brand. Next time your family needs to get new lenses, consider making a switch you can feel good about.
2. Rothy’s
