As January draws to a close, it can be a good time to revisit the goals you’ve set for yourself for the year, and it’s not too late to add a few new ones either! Whether you’re planning a wedding or a big event, or you just want to make some changes to your everyday life, going greener in 2024 is not just a great goal to strive towards, it’s also not as daunting as you might think.
Breaking it down, making small changes to just a handful of everyday habits can have a big impact, and here are some easy ways to start.
1. Add more plant-based foods to your diet
You don’t have to commit to being a hundred percent vegan or vegetarian to make a difference. Studies show that following a low-meat diet can have half the impact of a high-meat diet on greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and land use. Take the first step by swapping out some of your meat-based meals with plant-based foods to bring your daily average consumption of meat under 50g.
Wedding planning tip: Instead of having just one vegan or vegetarian option in your menu, consider making these the majority and having fewer meat-based options.
2. Shop local
Be mindful of where you do the majority of your shopping, and try and choose local brick and mortar stores or local online businesses over e-commerce giants. While it can be hard to compare the environmental impact of individual products, and it’s true that local stores don’t always carry the most sustainable goods, shopping local generally helps reduce the carbon emissions caused by transportation and storage.
Wedding planning tip: Look for locally-based vendors, especially those who in turn prioritize sourcing their materials locally.
3. Give conscious gifts
While it’s understandable not to want to take the fun out of gift-giving by being overly practical all the time, it can help to think consciously about how much the recipient is likely to appreciate it and how long they may hold on to it. Past studies have shown that Americans most likely spend over $9 billion dollars a year on unwanted gifts, some of which end up straight in the trash. Clothing and accessories are particularly hard to get right as gifts, so especially if you’re not a completely sure of someone’s style preferences, stick to a less personal category.
Wedding planning tip: Avoid ultra-customized gifts and wedding favors that are unlikely to be reused after your event is over.
4. Stay open & engaged!
Share your intention to be more sustainable with your friends and family! Talking to people can not only help keep you on track, but it can open you up to new opportunities and ideas. The world of sustainability is growing everyday, so being open to learning about all the new work being done, new products and ideas being generated, and even new research being conducted, can help broaden your green horizons and help you on your way to practicing a more sustainable everyday lifestyle.