10 Sustainable New Years Resolution Ideas

A new year is a fresh opportunity to reset your habits and make changes that positively impact both your life and the planet. With the growing effects of climate change and waste production, even small shifts toward sustainable living can lead to big results. As Anne-Marie Bonneau says: “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero-waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”

Did you know that the world produces over 460 million metric tons of plastic annually, with at least 20 million metric tons littered in our environment every year? (1). Or that reducing waste and consumption can significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, which are at an all-time high? Starting 2025 with greener habits not only benefits the planet but also helps create a healthier and more conscious lifestyle.

Your resolutions don't have to be grand to be meaningful. Keep it simple! Here are some sustainable resolutions to consider for the year ahead—and tips for making them stick.

1. Bring Your Own Reusable Cup

Love your morning coffee? Or maybe your daily smoothie? Make it more sustainable by bringing your own reusable cup. Whether you are heading into the office, or stopping by the coffee shop, bring a reusable cup that you can refill throughout the day. Each year, and in the US alone, over 146 million disposable cups are used, most of which end up in landfills because they can't be recycled. (2) By using a reusable cup, you can save hundreds of cups annually.

2. Shop Secondhand

Fast fashion is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second-largest consumer of water worldwide (3).  And, according to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, emissions from textile manufacturing alone are projected to skyrocket by 60% by 2030 (4).

Shopping secondhand and participating in swaps with friends and the community helps reduce demand for new production while giving pre-loved items a new home. Shopping secondhand does not have to just be limited to clothing, you can find a variety of secondhand items new-to-you for your home, kitchen, kids, and more. 

3. Start Composting

Worldwide, humans waste about 40% of all food that we produce. The food we lose on farms alone could feed the world’s undernourished population almost four times over! Wasted food represents roughly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions (nearly four times larger than the global airline industry’s), and is a main driver of the loss of forests, grasslands, and other critical wildlife habitats—while also depleting our freshwater supply (5).

This wasted food causes huge environmental issues when it ends up in the landfill. Rotting food in landfills generates methane gas, a greenhouse gas that is 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide. 

Composting is an incredible way to divert food waste from the landfill. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also support a circular economy and reduce your environmental impact. We promise it’s easy to start! Check out our blog post resources here:

• Composting 101
• Composting in the Twin Cities
• Reducing Food Waste: Mastering Zero Waste in Your Kitchen

4. Grow Your Own Food

Starting a garden—even a small herb garden—reduces your reliance on store-bought produce, cutting down on packaging and transportation emissions.

5. Make Plastic-Free Swaps

Switching to products like beeswax wraps, reusable produce bags, and bamboo utensils can help reduce your single-use plastic consumption. The average American uses 365 plastic bags annually, yet a single reusable bag can replace hundreds.

	Tare Market Tote Bag $19.99 Our stylish Tote Bag is super cute, super roomy, and made with 100% recycled cotton! The ultimate Tote for your biggest grocery hauls. Or use it as a beach or weekend Tote! Made with 100% recycled cotton using fair trade/labor. SHOP NOW
	Bee's Wrap $6.49 - 21.99 Bee’s Wrap® is the sustainable, natural alternative to plastic wrap for food storage. Wrap half of a lemon, vegetables, bread, cheese, or cover a bowl! Use the warmth of your hands to soften the wrap and create a seal. When cool, the wrap will hold its shape. Each Bee's Wrap can be reused hundreds of times. Available in single & 3-packs. SHOP NOW
	Two Acre Farm Eco Sponge $21.99 This sponge is made out of fair trade recycled coffee sacks and cotton and is 100% biodegradable! This is a great alternative to plastic sponges for dishes and regular old household cleaning. We love that you can put this sponge into your washing machine or dishwasher to give it a good clean when it is dirty. And at the very end of its life, you can throw this bad boy in the compost. Comes in a set of two. Designs/colors may vary. SHOP NOW

6. Shop or Refill in Bulk

Buying in bulk reduces packaging waste and is often more cost-effective. Shops like Tare Market offer a variety of bulk goods to be refilled — from pantry items like pasta and rice, to laundry needs like detergent, soap nuts, and self-care items like lotion, shampoo and conditioner — we’ve got you covered! 

Not only does shopping bulk help save another single-use plastic from the waste stream, but it’s also convenient. When you shop bulk, you bring your own container to refill, and you only buy what’s needed! You are not required to fill your entire container. 

7. Always Bring Reusables

From water bottles to shopping bags, having reusable containers on hand ensures you can skip single-use plastics wherever you go.

This can include take-out containers, utensils, and even napkins! Consider always keeping a Stasher bag, or trusty tupperware on hand if you go out for food and have leftovers, or bring your own set of utensils & reusable straw with you to reduce single-plastic use at restaurants or while on-the-go. 

8. Support Local Businesses

Small businesses help power local economies and, by extension, the local governments that depend on the tax dollars they generate. Shopping local is an incredible way to keep money in your community. 

It may be easy and convenient to run to Target to grab something, or order something for delivery on Amazon, but consider shopping around locally first to fill your needs! Because the truth is… for every $100 spent at a local business, $60 stays in the community. Whereas, for every $100 spent on Amazon, only $5 stays in the community.

9. Minimize Waste in One Area of Your Home

Going completely zero-waste can feel overwhelming. If you’ve already started on your zero waste journey and have made swaps already here and there, consider choosing one area of your home, like your kitchen or bathroom, to focus on & transform! 

10. Make Your Outside Space Pollinator-Friendly

If you’ve got your own garden, and you’re already considering starting your own garden (#4), adding a small patch of pollinator-friendly flowers can make a big difference in supporting biodiversity and saving the bees! Pollinators like bees and butterflies are vital for healthy ecosystems, but their habitats are increasingly under threat. You can create a small haven for these essential creatures by adding florals like marigolds, borage, and nasturtiums to your vegetable beds. It’s not only beneficial for the bees and butterflies, but for your crops too as it can boost crop yields and deter pests. 

Sticking to new habits can be challenging, but there are tools to make it easier:

• Track Your Progress: Use a habit tracker app or a simple journal to log your sustainable actions daily or weekly. It can be as simple as a checklist everyday!
• Set Small Goals: Start with one resolution and build up as it becomes a habit. Habits can vary in the time it takes to form from person to person, so don’t be too strict with yourself!
• Involve Others: Share your resolutions with friends or family for accountability and motivation.
• Reward Yourself: Celebrate milestones, like using your reusable cup every day for a month or successfully composting your food waste.

At Tare Market, we’re committed to making sustainability accessible and straightforward. With hundreds of plastic-free and zero-waste products, we’re here to help you achieve your goals for a greener 2025. 

If you are interested in learning more about the sustainable lifestyle, give us a follow at @taremarket on Instagram for a first-look at deals, educational resources, events, and so much more! 

Join us in making an impact in 2025!

Sources:

1. https://iucn.org/resources/issues-brief/plastic-pollution#:~:text=Over%20460%20million%20metric%20tons,to%20increase%20significantly%20by%202040.
2. https://www.thecommons.earth/blog/why-99-75-of-paper-coffee-cups-cant-be-recycled
3. https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20UN%20Environment%20Programme%20(UNEP)%2C,all%20international%20flights%20and%20maritime%20shipping%20combined
4. https://unfccc.int/news/fashion-industry-un-pursue-climate-action-for-sustainable-development
5. https://www.worldwildlife.org/initiatives/food-waste#:~:text=Food%20sent%20to%20landfills%20produces,billion%20tons%20of%20these%20gases.