By KIKI SIDERIS
The holiday season may be winding down, but there’s uplifting news: many resolutions people often set for the New Year—like eating better, saving money, and getting organized—align beautifully with climate-conscious practices.
Whether your goals include cutting expenses, decluttering your living space, or improving your diet, consider these impactful, low-effort, and budget-friendly options that can benefit both you and the planet.
Reducing your utility bills
Thinking about saving money? Begin in your own home. Many electronics and appliances consume energy even when turned off. By unplugging devices that aren’t in use—like phone chargers and entertainment systems—or using a power strip with a switch, you can effectively eliminate phantom energy consumption.
Another simple approach is to modify your thermostat settings when you’re away. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends adjusting your thermostat by 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit (or 4-6 degrees Celsius) for eight hours daily. This can lead to savings of about 10% per year on heating and cooling expenses.
Additionally, washing clothes in cold water and air-drying them whenever possible can significantly reduce energy consumption and utility bills. Heating water accounts for a large portion of laundry energy use, and clothes dryers are among the most energy-hungry appliances in a household, according to Matthew Gonzales, vice chairman of the National Hispanic Energy Council, which aims to promote affordable energy solutions in communities of color. This method can also extend the lifespan of your clothing.
Other straightforward changes include switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs, sealing drafty windows, and replacing dirty air filters. These actions allow heating and cooling systems to operate more efficiently. Gonzales also advises utilizing natural light throughout the day by strategically opening and closing curtains and windows as necessary and switching off lights in unoccupied areas.
While savings can vary significantly based on location, age of the home, and local energy prices, even minor adjustments can yield substantial savings over time, especially for households in states with high energy costs.
“Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough,” Gonzales advises.
Improving your diet and minimizing food waste
Reducing food waste is beneficial not only for your finances but also for your health and the environment.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, food waste costs American consumers approximately $728 annually and emits greenhouse gases equivalent to the pollution generated by 42 coal-fired power plants.
A practical starting point is to use up the ingredients you have in your pantry before heading to the store, suggests cookbook author Anne-Marie Bonneau.
“If you have some fat, an onion, and a couple of assorted vegetables—or even just one vegetable or some leftover proteins or grains—you have the makings of a delicious soup,” Bonneau explains. “If you’ve cleared your pantry that much, it’s likely time to go shopping.”
She also emphasizes the importance of preserving food before it spoils, such as fermenting vegetables, which is simpler than it may seem. For instance, sauerkraut can be made using just cabbage, salt, and a glass jar. You can also create sauces from seasonal vegetables like tomatoes and freeze them for later use.
Using a multicooker to prepare dishes like applesauce, yogurt, stews, and beans can streamline meal prep while conserving energy.
In general, Bonneau advises consuming fewer ultra-processed foods—such as sugary cereals, hot dogs, and frozen dinners—since they not only adversely affect your health but also contribute to environmental degradation. Many of these products are packaged in plastic, which can leach into food and pollute the environment.
“By doing this, you will enhance your diet, minimize waste, and reduce contact with plastics in your food,” she notes.
Getting organized and reducing purchases
Organizing your space doesn’t necessarily require the purchase of storage solutions or immediately throwing things away. Often, it can be achieved by making better use of what you already possess.
Dedicating even an hour to tidy up your area, identifying duplicates, and rediscovering forgotten items can diminish impulsive spending by clarifying what you really need, says Katrina Caspelich, communications director for Remake, an organization focused on human rights and climate justice within the fashion sector.
Implementing a “one-in, one-out” rule, where a new item can only be purchased if it replaces an old one, can be a useful strategy. This helps prevent clutter and promotes more thoughtful spending.
Additionally, opting out of brand emails and sales notifications can reduce temptation. “Most impulse purchases are triggered by notifications, not genuine need,” points out Caspelich. She suggests waiting 24 hours before committing to a new purchase, as this can often turn a “must-have” desire into a “no thanks.”
For those seeking a more structured approach, a no-buy challenge—where you refrain from making new purchases for 30 or 90 days while reusing, repairing, and swapping items with friends—can be incredibly beneficial. If a complete hiatus feels daunting, consider shopping secondhand instead of buying new. “Flexibility is key,” she adds. “Viewing it as an experiment rather than a strict rule makes it feel more empowering.”
According to estimates from Remake, participating in a 90-day no new clothes challenge could save about 3,900 liters (1,030 gallons) of water, avoid approximately 300 kilograms (about 661 pounds) of carbon dioxide emissions, and prevent nearly 9 kilograms (about 20 pounds) of clothing waste from ending up in landfills while also saving an average of nearly $300.
When viewed from a broader perspective, the statistics become stark: Americans generated approximately 17 million tons of textile waste in 2018, primarily from clothing, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
For those feeling overwhelmed by all this advice, remember: you don’t have to tackle everything at once, nor do you have to execute it flawlessly. Starting with just one habit you can maintain can significantly impact your budget, routine, and the environment.
