10 Beautifully Simple Ways to Go Greener in the New Year

Aiming to make 2014 a year that you live a bit lighter on the planet and save money, to boot? Consider adopting one or more of these 10 changes for a greener home. From the fun (shop vintage) and easy (use more natural light) to the utterly delicious (try organic wines), these resolutions are meant to benefit the Earth — and increase your quality of life.

1. Savor organic wine. Why not start the year on the right foot by choosing organic wine for your New Year’s Eve fete? If you already buy organic produce, maybe it’s time to start drinking organic, too. Organic wines (and other spirits, for that matter) are becoming more common, and there are some excellent bottles out there. Most well-stocked wine shops will have several options.


2. Check Craigslist and local vintage shops before buying new. This is a habit that can save you a lot of money over time and is an incredible boon to the environment — buying vintage is the greenest option of all. The hard part is remembering to do it. I’ve found that (especially at first) it helps to leave notes to yourself in places you usually look before shopping, like on your laptop, in your wallet and in the car. It’s true that patience and determination are rewarded when shopping vintage, so don’t just look once and give up. Keep a running wish list of items, and search for them regularly.


3. Swap one thing from disposable to reusable. You reach for paper towels because they are convenient, right? But reusing cloth towels saves money and space in the landfill — and it’s just as easy as using paper once you make it a habit. The key is not to run out, so buy cheap ones by the dozen and stash them everywhere you usually use paper products. You can even wrap your Swiffer-style mop with a small towel and reuse it instead of buying boxes and boxes of disposable pads. And if you don’t have a small laundry basket in your kitchen yet, add one — it will make life much easier.

Other ideas for a simple swap: oilcloth snack packs for plastic sandwich bags; cloth shopping bags for paper; travel mug for paper coffee cup.


4. Switch to a deliciously fragrant natural cleaner. Still spraying your counters with harsh chemicals? Most daily messes can be quickly and easily cleaned with a simple, natural, all-purpose cleaning spray. And if you choose one with essential oils, it will make your kitchen smell lovely and fresh, not chemical-y. Bonus: Natural cleaners are safe to use around kids and pets, so that’s one less thing to worry about.

Baking Soda: The Amazing All-Natural Cleanser You Already Own


5. Leave shoes at the door. All sorts of nasty stuff, from pesticides to asphalt, comes in on the bottom of our shoes — make your home a cleaner, healthier place by instituting a no-shoes policy in 2014. Bonus: Your floors will look cleaner longer, so you can spend less time with the vacuum and mop.


6. Rely on natural light during the day. Break the habit of leaving lights on in the daytime, and you will find you soon get used to (and enjoy) living with gentle natural light in your rooms. This is such an easy change to make, and the energy savings can really add up.

Boost Your Energy With Natural Light


7. Cut down on takeout containers. Takeout is a lifesaver sometimes but also typically generates unnecessary waste. Planning meals ahead of time can help — especially if you include a few super-quick options for nights you know you’ll be short on time. Even skipping one takeout meal each week (or month, depending on how often you get it now) can make a positive impact on the planet — and probably on your wallet and waistline, too.


Water Carafe - $34 8. Give plastic water bottles the boot. Do you buy water in plastic bottles? Make 2014 the year you finally kick the habit. If you filter your water at home and use glass containers to store it, you can always have fresh, clean, filtered water on hand without the plastic waste — or the cost — of buying bottled.


9. Plant a bit of a garden. A planting box of lettuces on the deck, a pot of peppers on the fire escape, a window box of herbs in the kitchen — gardening does not need to be a huge investment of time or resources, yet even a small garden patch can enhance your life and your health. Start small and have fun with it — choosing even one thing to grow instead of buy in the store is a great place to start. You can’t get more local than your own backyard!

Houzz Edible Gardening Guides


10. Learn to reuse and upcycle. The next time you are going to toss something, take a moment to think whether there’s another use for it. Could you use those little glass jars as bud vases or to store Q-tips in the bathroom? Make that torn blanket into a pillow cover? Donate that big stack of magazines to a local nursing home? Once you start challenging your ideas about what belongs in the waste bin, you’re sure to surprise yourself with your creativity.

Tell us: Are you making any green resolutions for 2014?

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