8 Sustainable New Year’s Resolutions for 2023

As the New Year approaches, lots of us are reflecting on what we’ve achieved this year, as well as thinking about ways to improve our lives and the world around us in the year to come. For some of us, this might involve setting sustainable New Year’s resolutions for 2023 — and you wouldn’t be alone. In 2022, 21% of Brits had the resolution to be more environmentally-friendly, with that number expected to grow next year. 

Want to join them and looking for some inspiration? Here’s our top sustainable New Year’s resolutions for the year to come. 

1. Swap Single-Use for Reusables 

Single-use plastics, such as shopping bags, water bottles, straws and food containers, contribute to plastic pollution and waste. By using reusable alternatives to otherwise single-use items, you can reduce the amount of waste you generate and help to protect the environment. This might mean beeswax food wraps instead of cling-film, bamboo cutlery instead of plastic utensils, and reusable produce bags instead of plastic fruit and veg bags. If you can name a single-use item, there's almost always going to be a more sustainable alternative.

With 57% of consumers agreeing that they would pay more for environmentally friendly products, there seems to be a willingness to move towards a more sustainable lifestyle — even if it is a bit more of an initial investment.

2. Reduce Water Usage

The average household in the UK uses around 330 litres of water a day. As well as the obvious water from our taps, showers and toilets, there is also a “hidden” water in the products that we purchase — it takes 713 gallons of water to grow the cotton needed to produce just one cotton t-shirt, 2,000 gallons of water to create a single pair of blue jeans, about 37 gallons of water to grow and process the number of beans needed for a single cup of coffee, and more than 3,400 gallons of water to manufacture a smartphone. And the list goes on.

Take it upon yourself to reduce your water usage as part of your New Year’s resolution. Start by fixing leaks, turning the tap off between uses, and taking shorter showers, and then consider investing in a water-saving device for your toilet cistern, fitting a more efficient shower head, or collecting rainwater off your roof (you can use this to water your garden, clean the exterior of your home or flush your toilet). You'll also cut down on that "hidden" water usage when you switch from single-use to reusables.

3. Drive Less

The majority of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions – a huge 27% – come from transport. Reduce your carbon footprint by driving less, and walking, cycling or using public transportation more. Alternatively, you can carpool with friends or colleagues to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

If you have to drive, electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and fuel-cell vehicles are the best for the environment. These are the most fuel-efficient, with lower greenhouse gas emissions than their counterparts. 

You should also avoid idling when in the car. Modern vehicles don’t need to be “warmed up”, and doing so wastes fuel, causes excess engine wear, and further pollutes the air.

 4. Eat Less Meat, More Plant-Based

Meatless Farm reports that if every household ate just one more plant-based meal per week, this would help cut the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 50 million tonnes. That’s the same as taking 16 million cars off the road, or a reduction of up to 8.4% in the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. This is huge, and it’s a simple change to make — there are heaps of plant-based alternatives available in supermarkets, and even more recipes online, to help you “vegan” your favourite dishes, as well as discover new ones. 

5. Plant a Garden

A biodiverse garden can help to restore and protect the environment, as well as become a source of food. Growing your own produce means no plastic packaging or pesticides, a reduced carbon footprint, and less food waste (if you’re composting the vegetable cuttings after). It's also fun, with proven benefits for your mental health — gardening is associated with reduced stress and increased life satisfaction.