10 Sustainable New Year's Resolutions for 2024

We’re on a mission to make the world greener, but we can’t do it without your help. 

If you’re looking to do your part in living sustainably, making a new year resolution brings a fresh opportunity to make a change.

New year resolutions have been a popular way for many to achieve their goals over the years, yet now more than ever sustainability should be at the forefront of our minds. There are lots of things we can do, from making small swaps in your daily life to getting involved in bigger projects, we can help ourselves and the planet.

All in all, we’ve rounded up some of the easiest, sustainable resolutions and products to help you contribute towards a greener planet for 2024.

Why choose sustainable resolutions?

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that our collective behaviours have a huge impact on the environment. Throughout the peak of lockdown, major UK cities such as London, Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff saw air pollution levels fall up to 50%. We finally got a glimpse of the air we might breathe in a low-carbon future. We have the power to help if we all just do our bit, it really is that simple!

New Year Resolution Ideas

1. Invest more time to reuse + recycle

While many of us already do our bit in recycling household waste, you may find that there is always a little more that we can do to help.

Recycling can extend further from just waste management - to products such as clothes and other goods. Making swaps in your lifestyle is also super important, such as using reusable nappies and wipes if you have a little one. Tots Bots and Modern Cloth Nappies make stylish, eco-friendly reusables perfect for all sustainable households.

Better yet, you can shop these wonderfully eco-friendly nappies in starter bundles which helps make the swap even easier as you have all you need right from the get-go.

Lots of our littles one's products are limited to age and size meaning that it can be a huge contributor to landfill waste. Make sure if your items are still in good condition, they're given the second life they deserve.

Charities such as Stripey Stork are often looking for such donations of baby and parenting essentials.

2. Turn off lights in rooms that aren’t being used

This one is quick and simple. You may think leaving a light on uses minimal energy, but collectively this adds up. Turning off your lights help to reduce the use of non-renewable resources that are harmful to our environment.

You can also turn off your appliances to help reduce your carbon footprint and help save the planet.

3. Take reusable bags shopping

Since supermarkets introduced plastic bag fees, the UK has got pretty good at investing in reusable shopping bags. Whether it's a small tote, or big carrier, these bags are helping to pave the way towards less plastic pollution.

This year, we absolutely love the Liewood Reed Tote Bag in Mist which is both fashionable and the ultimate solution for parents on the go. Made from 100%  recycled polyester and OEKOTEX Certified fabrics, you can rest assured your new shoulder bag is just as sustainable as it is stylish.

4. Swap the drive for a walk

Swapping the car for walking, cycling and e-biking even just one day a week makes a significant impact on personal carbon emissions.  Transport, specifically car emissions are one of the predominant causes of greenhouse gases.

Research suggests that transport is responsible for 26% of greenhouse pollution.  So, choosing to walk a short journey instead of travelling in a car can have significant advantages for the environment over a year. 

One of our eco-heroes at Natural Baby Shower, Joolz are doing amazing things to create carbon-zero strolling! All their pushchairs and accessories are made with recycled materials plus, for every stroller they sell, they plant a tree in one of their 'Birth Forests' dotted around the globe.

5. Turn the tap off whilst brushing your teeth

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), just by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth in the morning and before bedtime, you can save up to 8 gallons of water! That adds up to more than 200 gallons a month. 

And if you're improving your dental routine, why not start with the toothbrush? We love the Mushie Toothbrush for your little one as not only is it made from 100% food-grade silicone which is safe for babies to chew, but this sustainable material is kind to the planet too!

6. Buy products with less packaging

There have been some major breakthroughs over the years with plastic-free packaging. Most Easter eggs for example, are now completely packaged plastic-free.

At Natural Baby Shower we believe a product should be made sustainably, right from being manufactured, to arriving at your door. This is why our packaging is fully recyclable where possible. Our larger items are shipped in fully recyclable cardboard boxes that can be both reused or recycled.

Many other businesses are also using refillable products. These are now becoming increasingly popular with many big brands offering these bulk items to cut down on one-time-use plastics. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these alternatives in the supermarket aisle.

7. Refillable water bottles

Similar to plastic bags, single use plastic bottles have become a major contributor in the fight against plastic pollution. A 2020 report from International relief and development agency Tearfund, claims consumer brand Coca-Cola alone, was found to create 200,000 tonnes of plastic pollution – or around 8 billion bottles – that are burnt or dumped each year in 6 developing countries.

Using refillable bottles will help to reduce plastic waste, which currently creates emissions equivalent to 4.6 million tonnes of CO2 when burnt – the same as 2 million cars on UK roads a year.

The One Green Bottle is a perfect choice as an alternative to single-use plastic. Creating water bottles for over 14 years, we love their range of child-friendly bottles that is made from thermoregulating and durable materials. Top top it off, for every One Green Bottle sold, 25 plastic bottles are reclaimed from ocean-bound waste.

8. Put on extra layers instead of turning on the heating

You're either the family member who is turning up the thermostat or the one telling everyone to "put a jumper on!" Well, if you're the latter, you've already made a great sustainable (and economical) choice. In the winter months, the UK temperature can drop but well-insulated homes are designed to combat this cold.

Before reaching for the thermostat, next time consider other options like putting on a nice wooly jumper, or a pair of thermal socks. Then, if you're still feeling a chill, the heating may be the answer.

9. Eat less meat

Eating less meat has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint as an individual. It’s not only good for the environment, the lives of animals, but for your health too. 

Plus, if you're thinking of trying out a meat-less or even a reduced meat diet, you can store all your wonderful, new weaning recipes in the babymoov Glass Food Storage Multiset. Glass is the ideal material for storing food as it is environmentally friendly, neutral and durable. Glass Babybols preserve the taste of food for longer too.

10. Start Composting

If your home has access to the great outdoors and you want to work on your organic waste management, start to consider composting from home. It can be a rewarding challenge to take on and it’s not as hard as you might think!

Plus, getting your family into gardening is a great way to spend time together but also provides an opportunity to learn about the creatures and plants that are all around us. 

New year, New you

We want lots of families to keep to their greener resolutions this new year. That's why this month, you can shop for less in our January sale to stock up on those sustainable essentials and kick off the year right!