10 Eco Friendly & Zero Waste Resolutions

The start of a new year is the perfect time to refresh, restart and challenge yourself to something new that will make a difference. If you're thinking of making a resolution or two around the idea of sustainable living and zero waste but aren't sure of what specifically, here are some ideas! So read on as we share 10 eco friendly and zero waste resolutions you can make in 2021, including how to go about them and what your efforts will achieve.

Commit to a low waste Nespresso coffee

How to make it happen

1. Invest in a reusable Pod Star capsule coffee kit
2. Fill your Podsta capsule with number 2 ground coffee beans
3. Empty the used beans onto your garden or in your compost

What this will achieve

• Reduce the billions of single use coffee pods that end up in landfill every year (despite the fact they are recyclable, not all end up being recycled)
• Save resources required to recycle coffee pods that do end up in recycling
• Allow you to enjoy locally grown coffee, reducing food miles, or a coffee of your choice

Find out the machines Podsta is compatible with and how to make the perfect Podsta coffee here >

Take your lunch to work instead of getting takeaway

How to make it happen

1. Make a meal plan each week, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
2. Cook enough for leftovers or opt for lunch and snacks that can be made in advance, possibly in bulk, and grabbed quickly when packing your lunch box
3. Choose a lunch box that is easy to pack, easy to transport and suited to the type of foods you'll be eating. Find zero waste 'nude food' lunch box ideas here >
4. Set aside 10 minutes to pack your lunch each day, whether it's just before you leave for work or the night before

What this will achieve

• Reduce food waste
• Reduce takeaway food container and cutlery waste
• Healthier and more nutritious meals
• Save approximately $75 per week eating takeaway (average of $15 per day, 5 days a week)

Shop zero waste lunch boxes here >

Read 3 sustainable living books throughout the year

How to make it happen

1. Visit your local library, borrow from a friend or browse Biome's sustainable living books in-store and online
2. Set aside some time each day or week to read - take a sustainable living book with you on holidays, on the bus or train, or keep one on your bedside table to read before going to sleep

What this will achieve

• Expand your sustainable living knowledge base
• Learn new ways to live more gently on our planet
• Develop mindfulness
• Help you to take time for yourself and relax

Browse sustainable living books here >

Quit plastic cling wrap

How to make it happen

1. Work out what you're using cling wrap for - is it to cover plates and bowls, store cut up fruit and veggies, or wrap sandwiches and wraps?
2. Equip yourself with reusable alternatives - use reusable food wraps and covers or another plate to cover plates and bowls, use a beeswax wrap or sandwich pouch to contain sandwiches and wraps, and use a baking dish with a lid so your food can go from the oven to the fridge.
3. Vow never to buy cling wrap again! If it's not in your home, it's not a temptation.

What this will achieve

• Reduce plastic waste and production

Read more about plastic cling wrap alternatives here > Make your own beeswax food wraps here >

Promise to keep food scraps out of landfill

How to make it happen

1. Determine the best compost system for your situation and set it up - do you have the space for a garden compost heap, worm farm, or perhaps a small bokashi system? We have some tips here >
2. Set up a bench top bin for food waste, so it is easy to collect food scraps as you're going. Empty this bench top bin into your compost system every few days.
3. Take some time to tend to your compost system as required.

What this will achieve

• Less food waste ending up in landfill, reducing the amount of methane released into the atmosphere
• Valuable soil conditioner for your plants and garden
• Save money on store bought fertiliser and soil

Browse our range of compost systems here >

Make the switch to a stainless steel safety razor

How to make it happen

1. Invest in a stainless steel safety razor and blades. A natural shave soap is also recommended but not necessary.
2. Follow these tips: when shaving with a safety razor, take your time and get a feel for how the razor works; don't apply too much pressure but instead let the weight of the razor do the work; exfoliate beforehand and lubricate your skin with a nice shaving soap. See more tips here >
3. Store your safety razor out of the shower in a dry, well ventilated area.

What this will achieve

• Less plastic waste and production
• Save approximately $100 a year on disposable plastic razor replacement blades

Find reusable safety razors here >

Make your own skin care products

How to make it happen

1. Start with the basics, perhaps a lip balm, face mask, serum, or body moisturiser.
2. Refer to our DIY skin care blog for recipes and ingredients.
3. Visit our Naked Beauty Bar in our Brisbane stores or online here for ingredients and containers.
4. Experiment with different variations until you find something that works for you.

What this will achieve

• Help you reduce waste
• Simplify your skin care routine
• Understand exactly what you're putting on your skin
• Save money on commercial skin care products (that are often full of filler ingredients)

Discover our DIY skin care recipes here >

Take a no KeepCup no coffee/tea pledge

How to make it happen

1. Invest in a reusable coffee cup that best suits your needs - KeepCups and Joco Cups are available in standard barista cup sizes, while an insulated coffee cup or tumbler will help keep your coffee or tea hot or chilled all day.
2. Keep your reusable coffee cup somewhere handy so you don't forget it.
3. Make a 'no KeepCup, no takeaway coffee' rule - if you forget your reusable coffee cup, dine in or go without.

What this will achieve

• Save the waste and production of hundreds of disposable coffee cups every year (if you have 5 takeaway coffees every week, you'll save 260 disposable cups!)
• Encourage mindfulness

Shop reusable coffee cups here >

Vow to never use a plastic bag again

How to make it happen

1. Invest in some high quality reusable bags that best suit your needs.
2. Keep them in an a convenient area where you won't forget them (on the back seat or in the boot of your car, hanging behind your front door).
3. Remind yourself to bring them with you when you go shopping (set a reminder on your phone, stick a post it note by your keys)

What this will achieve

• Save plastic waste and production
• Fewer plastic bags ending up in landfill or our environment where they will never biodegrade, just break up into smaller and smaller pieces

Learn how to create a zero waste shopping kit here > Shop reusable bags here >

Switch to soapberries (soap nuts) for everyday cleaning

How to make it happen

1. Invest in some high quality organic soapberries (also known as soap nuts).
2. Find lots of ways to use soapberries to clean around the home here >
3. Use your soapberries to wash clothes, to make a general purpose cleaner or as a dishwashing liquid.

What this will achieve

• Save plastic waste and production
• Save money on mainstream laundry detergents, washing up liquid and cleaning products
• Fewer toxins in your home

Shop That Red House soapberries here > Looking for more zero waste resolutions? Continue reading this blog post: 101 Eco Friendly Resolutions That Will Make You Happy and Not Cost a Cent!