At the beginning of every year, we all start making promises and goals for the months ahead, but often don't stick to them. This year, we want to help you make sustainable resolutions - ones that are both green AND achievable to stick to.
Filling your list with meaningful resolutions that focus on improving your lifestyle, helping your local community, and helping the planet can help to encourage you to keep going when you normally might give up. Being clear with your purpose and goal can also help you stick to your resolutions, especially if they can be measured (e.g. donating 10 items from your wardrobe to our Swap Shop). Most importantly, keep it real! It's great to dream big, but remember not to put too much pressure on yourself by trying everything at once, as this can often lead to burn-out and motivation dropping off quickly.
Remember that not all sustainable options are viable for everyone, so don't feel guilty if there are some that you can't achieve. Instead, pick a resolution that works for you! Take a look at some of our suggestions below:
Reduce your food waste
It's estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted each year across the world, contributing to 8% of global carbon emissions. So, why not make your resolution to reduce your food waste?
Check out our handy tips to reduce food waste and, if you pledge to keep a food waste diary, we'll give you a reward worth £10.
Change your travel habits
Travelling by more sustainable methods (walking, cycling, or public transport) is a great way to save money, get active and reduce your carbon footprint.
Join our New Year Travel Pledge and we'll give you a reward worth £10 if you make a sustainable change to an essential journey you make.
Swap don't shop
We've all got clothes in the back of our wardrobes that didn't get worn in 2020. Rather than sending them to landfill, why not donate them to our swapshop? We'll then be able to redistrubute them to other students who might benefit.
If you've got clothes you want to donate, drop us an email to go.green@ecsa.scot or send us a message on Facebook (Edinburgh College Students' Association).
Our digital swapshop will be back this year, so keep an eye on our social media pages to find out more.
Change your diet for January
Our diets have a big impact on the planet! Reducing your meat and dairy consumption and eating local, seasonal foods are ways to reduce your carbon footprint. So why not try out one of these diets for January:
Take the Veganuary pledge - go vegan this January.
Make more sustainable food choices - eat less meat, eat local or seasonal produce or grow your own this January.