24 Eco-Friendly New Year's Resolutions for 2024

Happy New Year from CleanChoice Energy! Our New Year’s Resolution is to help people choose 100% clean, renewable energy and further our collective positive impact on the planet. Still thinking of your own resolution? Here are some ideas for New Year’s Resolutions to help you make a positive impact on the environment in 2024 and beyond: 

1. Reduce your energy usage

Using less energy is one of the most impactful ways you can help protect our planet and combat climate change. Check out our blog post with tips to help you save energy throughout the year. 

2. Eat more plant-based foods

Eating a plant-based diet can have significant positive impacts on the environment. Try giving up meat at least one day a week to reduce the impact of your meals. 

3. Recycle more—and better

Recycling is an important way to reduce waste, but it’s only effective if you do it correctly. Check out our Recycling 101 guide for tips!

4. Start composting

Composting is a great way to enrich soil while keeping food waste out of landfills, where it takes up space and releases harmful methane gas. Check out our blog post for tips to help you get started—even if you live in an apartment!

5. Use less plastic

Avoid using single-use plastics such as plastic grocery bags, water bottles, utensils, or snack bags. Try going the whole month of January without using any single-use plastics! Check out these tips to help you get started. 

6. Use less water

It takes a surprising amount of energy to pump, heat, treat, and move water. Simple steps such as turning the faucet off when brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, or installing a low-flow shower head can add up and save a lot of energy.

7. Go paperless

Sign up for paperless billing and statements, switch to digital copies of newspapers and magazines, or try reusable alternatives to paper towels and napkins to help save trees.

8. Reduce your transportation footprint

Try walking or biking instead of driving, taking public transportation, switching to an electric car, opting for virtual meetings and events, or simply driving less in general. You can also be conscious about the amount of packages you order to your home to minimize the transportation footprint of the deliveries. 

9. Fly less

Take a train or bus rather than flying, as airplanes have a much greater carbon footprint. You should also take direct flights when you can—direct flights cause fewer emissions, as the most emissions occur during takeoff and landing. 

10. Reduce the amount of food you waste

Food waste is a serious environmental issue. When food is thrown away, it eventually goes to sit in a landfill, where it emits harmful methane gas. Be more diligent about cooking, food shopping, and eating leftovers to cut back the amount of food you throw away.

11. Buy local, seasonal produce

Buying in-season produce from local farms is a great way you can reduce the environmental impact of your food. You can also try growing your own produce in your garden or in planters!

12. Take steps to make your home more eco-friendly

There are endless opportunities to make your home greener. You can replace all of your traditional light bulbs with LED bulbs, install Energy Star appliances, invest in a smart thermostat, or get a home energy assessment to ensure your home is as energy efficient as possible.

13. Establish better eco-friendly habits in your home

Be more diligent about turning off the lights when you leave a room, hanging your laundry to dry instead of using the dryer, and managing your thermostat wisely to conserve energy.

14. Avoid buying brand new clothes

Fast fashion comes with many harmful effects on the environment. Shop at thrift or consignment stores to reduce fashion waste. If you do need to buy brand new clothes, try shopping from one of these sustainable clothing brands to reduce the negative impacts of your purchase.

15. Donate or recycle your old clothes, rather than throwing them away

If you have old, unwanted, or damaged clothes (such as a sock with holes in it or a stained, decades-old t-shirt), it can be tempting to just throw them in the trash can. But instead of sending those clothes to a landfill, you can recycle them to give them new life. And if they’re in good enough condition, donate them to a local thrift store so they can find a new home.

16. Try upcycling furniture, clothes, or decor 

Not only is upcycling more environmentally friendly than buying brand new or wasting any materials, it’s also a lot more fun! Check out these creative upcycling ideas to help you get started.

17. Support businesses that care about the environment 

Prioritize shopping with businesses that are committed to protecting our planet and take actions such as using renewable energy. Check out our blog post to learn about some of the most environmentally conscious brands.

18. Donate to environmental organizations 

Consider supporting any of these amazing organizations that work tirelessly to protect our planet. 

19. Educate yourself more on environmental issues 

Learn more about the communities already affected by climate change, as well as your own impact on the environment. Need a place to start? Check out this blog post or these books on the important topic of environmental justice, or watch these environmental TED Talks.

20. Use your voice to advocate for the environment

Urge your elected officials to support legislation and other measures that will help protect our planet, and sign petitions on platforms such as Care2 to support various efforts to help the environment. Also, make sure you’re registered to vote so you can support environmentally conscious candidates!

21. Talk to your loved ones about the environment. 

Having conversations about climate change is an important way to help combat it. Try to have conversations about the environment and the ways we can all help protect it, or follow these tips to help teach kids to appreciate the environment. 

22. Spend more time volunteering for the planet 

Give back to Mother Earth by planting trees or cleaning up a local park, trail, or beach. It’s a feel-good way you can spend time in nature!

23. Take time each day to step away from your screens and spend time outside 

You’ll not only save energy in your home—you’ll enjoy all of the benefits of nature and develop a stronger appreciation for our environment!

24. Choose clean energy 

One of the easiest and most impactful ways you can help protect our planet in 2024 and beyond is by choosing 100% clean, renewable energy from wind and solar sources for your home. Learn more about how you can sign up today and help create a better environment for future generations!