Five Eco-Friendly Resolutions for the New Year

So it’s now 2013 and you’ve been planning for some time to start doing your bit to help the environment. Unfortunately, you just haven’t found the time to plant an herb garden or start growing your own tomatoes and the idea of setting up a compost bin is such a commitment, it gives you the shudders. Not only will you have to figure out how it works, you’ll probably need to spend quite a bit of money or at least put a lot of effort into it. These are great ideas but they’re big ideas. Instead, there are a few simple, eco-friendly things that everyone can do, things that don’t require a huge commitment.

1. Replace all your light bulbs with CFLs or Compact Fluorescent Lamps.

These light bulbs are easily available at most drugstores and use 1/5th to 1/3rd the energy of regular light bulbs. They also last 8-15 times longer. Not only will you help the environment by saving energy, you’ll also save your own money by making this small change. Even though these bulbs cost a little more than regular ones, you’ll have to replace them far less often. And this is something that you can do in one hour tops.

2. Instead of using plastic bags, start using cloth bags for groceries.

Gone are the days when your only options were unattractive grandma-style bags. Nowadays, many chic food stores such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s sell their own line of grocery bags, including freezer bags that will keep your frozen food fresh while you transport it home. You can also get cloth trolleys if you generally get a week’s worth of groceries at the same time. Once again, the trolleys available now are not your average grandma carts and can be toted by any self-respecting fashionista!

3. Pay your bills online.

You’ll avoid getting paper bills in the mail and you won’t have to make a trip to the mailbox either. Your bank will just send the check for you.

4. Use cloth napkins instead of paper.

Not only are they more attractive and more sophisticated-looking, they’re also eco-friendly. If you have a dinner party, using real plates instead of paper plates, real silverware instead of plastic and real napkins instead of paper napkins, just makes the dinner much more appetizing and will impress all your friends. When you’re done, don’t forget to enlist their help to wash up!

5. If you’re planning to move this year or if you’re redecorating, don’t just throw out your furniture.

Contact us and we’ll take the old furniture off your hands. Remember that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That old couch that you’re so tired of looking at might turn out to be perfect for someone else.

Happy 2013 from the JunkLuggers team!