Every year around December we are faced with choosing what our New Year’s resolutions will be. Will we finally finish all the books on our reading lists? Will we stick to that yoga routine? Will we accomplish that career move we’ve thought about for the past year? Ultimately, the resolution is more about the dreaming than the act. It’s a tangible way to put our hopes into action. What if our hope was to live more sustainably, to be more conscious of the needs of the world around us? Here are some examples of resolutions you and your household can take on in 2020:

Recycle

“This year I will recycle all of my cans.”

More than 100 billion aluminum cans are sold in the United States each year, but less than half are recycled; which is a shame considering that aluminum recycling provides many environmental, economic, and community benefits. By simply recycling cans your community saves energy, time, money, and precious natural resources. It, also, generates jobs and helps to pay for community services that can make the lives of millions of people better.

The best argument for recycling aluminum, however, is that there is no limit to how many times it can be recycled. Aluminum is a sustainable material which means no matter how many times it is recycled it won’t lose its original integrity. Aluminum cans, themselves, are 100% recyclable, making them the most valuable of all materials. The aluminum cans you recycle today can be back on a store shelf in just 60 days.

And maybe you are thinking that your cans may not make much difference, so why do it? Well, actually, according to the Environmental Defense Fund, Americans throw away so much aluminum that every three months we could collect enough scrap to rebuild the entire U.S. commercial airplane fleet! Can you imagine what your cans might be able to build by themselves?

The most exciting part is that it’s really simple to recycle cans. You can recycle cans curbside or take them to the Miami County Recycling Center. Several local charities and fire departments alsoaccept aluminum donations. Try the Miami County Shriners or your local fire department.

Reduce

“This year I will reduce my use of packaged products.”

It’s easy to buy packaged food and other products. The simplicity of the supermarket makes it hard to avoid harmful packaging in boxes and bags made of plastic materials. Committing to living a lifestyle that is conscious of the amount of plastic used can not only help the environment by saving energy and natural resources but offer more variety in healthy and sustainable options.

Reducing waste is incredibly important because of its environmental and social impact. Environmentally, reducing waste conserves landfill space, conserves resources like aluminum, petroleum and trees, and saves energy by not creating new materials. Another problematic result of the process of mining, refining, and manufacturing is the emission of greenhouse gases.

The benefits to you financially can be a great reason as well. Buying used products like clothes to building materials means you are saving money and helping the environment. Also, purchasing products that can be reused over disposable options means you are buying less product over time and saving quite a bit. Learning to maintain and repair products is also a valuable skill that will make you more versatile and your bank account fuller.

Plus, buying from local farmers’ markets and thrift stores helps put money back into your own community, while creating jobs and benefitting those who need it.

Re-use

“This year I will start a compost pile.”

It might sound gross to keep all your organic waste in a bin outside, or even in your kitchen, but we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be. In fact, the process of composting can not only be low maintenance and simple, but have numerous benefits to your everyday life.

Compost is merely decomposed organic materials like leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen waste. This provides essential nutrients for plant growth which is why if you have a garden, or dream of being your neighborhood’s green thumb, then it’s the perfect fertilizer. It improves soil structure so that soil can hold the correct amount of moisture, nutrients, and air.

The many benefits of compost doesn’t stop at good soil. Composting reduces garbage volume, helps control weeds, decreases the need for costly watering, and creates a sustainable environment for plant growth.

You can compost green leaves, coffee grounds/filters, tea bags, plant trimming, fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, and fresh grass clippings.

With a very small investment of your time, you and your family can be a solution to a community waste disposal problem, while also growing this year’s largest pumpkin for the most delicious holiday pie.

Re-think

“This year I will rethink what it means to live sustainably.”

Maybe you want to completely overhaul your lifestyle, which will help you, the environment, and your community. If that’s the case take on a New Year’s resolution that pledges to recycle your aluminum cans, reduce you buying of packaged products, and composting. Take on three environmentally conscious plans in the year 2020 and be an environmental superhero.