Did you know eight types of single-use plastic are banned in the European Union? This was part of a push to increase waste prevention and encourage people to switch to reusable items. That’s why you no longer get your takeaway food in a plastic container with a plastic straw and plastic utensils on the side.

If your New Year’s resolution for 2024 is to be more environmentally friendly – like the EU – and to live more sustainably, there are several small things you can do every day to meet your goals. Whether it’s ditching single-use plastic in your daily life and using more biodegradable products like the picnic products from Green Gatherings, taking shorter showers, changing what you eat, doing research before you buy something to see how sustainable the company is, or switching up your commute, you can use our tips to get started on your sustainability journey, and then share them with others. Get ready to be inspired! 

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Top 5 Ways to Live More Sustainably

1. Commute on 2 Wheels Instead of 4

Spending time in traffic on your way to work is never a good start to the day, whether it’s 10 minutes or a two-hour commute. One of the best things you can do for yourself and the environment is to drive less because cars contribute to air pollution and more. Maybe that means riding a bike or walking to work a couple of days a week (or more often!) or arranging a carpool if there are co-workers who live near you. Take public transit if it’s available, or see if there’s a park-and-ride option. If you must drive, maintain your car, ensure there is no fluid leaking, and check the tires. That last one is key because 24 percent of road vehicle CO2 emissions are tire-related!

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2. Put Less Meat on Your Plate

What we eat can really impact the planet. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 25 percent of the global land surface is used for grazing livestock, threatening biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as local communities. Beef, lamb, and mutton in particular are large contributors to greenhouse gasses. Taking meat off your plate entirely is a great step towards living more sustainably, but for some people, it’s a big lifestyle change. If that’s the case for you, you can try eating a meatless burger on your next night out with friends or making a vegetarian curry at home. Even eating vegetarian or vegan meals some of the time will help the environment.

3. Think Before You Buy

With online shopping and fast shipping, it’s easy to mindlessly order things you might not need. But when all of these impulse purchases end up in the trash, it’s the environment that pays. Before hitting the “Buy” button, you should ask yourself if you really need the item. If the answer is yes, then try to buy high-quality items that can be repaired rather than going in the trash. It’s also a good idea to do a quick online search to see if the company has sustainable manufacturing standards or if there are any red flags that show they aren’t environmentally friendly. When you can, shop locally at small businesses that you know and trust, which will also reduce the environmental impact of shipping.

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4. Ditch the Plastic

We’ve all seen the photos of the floating island of plastic garbage clogging up our oceans. Single-use plastic is killing marine life and producing tons of litter, and that’s not even getting into the pollution from producing all of it. Cities and countries around the world have taken steps to ban plastic bags, polystyrene containers, plastic straws, and more, but plastic production has still doubled in the last 20 years to more than 460 million tons. While it may not be possible to never use single-use plastic again in your life, you can try to use as little as possible. Only use biodegradable disposable tableware like Green Gatherings, don’t drink bottled water, and opt for a reusable bottle instead, avoid disposable plastic razors and other personal hygiene items, and bring your reusable bags with you every time you shop. These small steps can make a big difference in the sea of plastic waste polluting our planet.

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5. Turn Off the Tap

It’s easy to waste water without even thinking about it: You take a long shower, leave the water running while brushing your teeth, fill the sink to wash dishes even though you didn’t need to, or water the lawn every day to keep it green. It’s estimated that the average person wastes up to 110 liters of water a day, and there are little things you can do to not be one of them. Taking shorter showers is one way, but you can also water your lawn less, make sure your faucets and toilets aren’t leaking or dripping, and collect rainwater to water your garden or indoor plants. If you own a house, think about replacing your lawn with native, drought-adapted plants that need less water. And, of course, turn off that tap when brushing your teeth!

Now you know at least five ways, both big and small, that you can live more sustainably. But if you’re truly interested in being more environmentally friendly on a day-to-day basis, look for other ways you can do your part like avoiding fast fashion and vacationing closer to home. And don’t be afraid to pass on what you’ve learned!