Make reuse your New Year's resolution for 2023

22 Dec 22 2 minutes

Taking up running, eating healthier, taking up a new hobby…. whatever you are setting for your 2023 New Year’s resolution, make it a reuse-solution.

Take reusable bags shopping

Making recycling and reuse a New Year’s resolution can help you make positive changes to the planet. You won’t just feel better, it’ll make a big difference to the environment too.

From opting for a reusable coffee mug to swapping to reusable shopping bags, there are lots of simple swaps you can make as we head into 2023 to help the planet.

Since plastic bag fees were introduced, Scotland has got much better at investing in reusable shopping bags. It can be a little tote bag or a big carrier, whichever you choose, these bags are helping us reduce plastic pollution and single use carrier bags.

Choose sustainable fashion

Did you know that cheap clothing brands contribute to climate change and fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world? The amount of waste that is produced in the textile and fashion industry is just one the reasons you should opt for sustainable fashion instead.

Charity shops have a great selection and have become very popular. Vintage warehouses also offer some rare finds that you wouldn’t find new. You can also try websites such as Vinted or eBay. Remember, if buy high quality clothes, they will last you much longer.

Read more about why second hand shopping is second to none and can help to reduce the environmental impact of our resources by extending the useful life of our stuff.

A persons hand picking up clothing items on a rail

Give up one thing that is single use and non-recyclable

We get it, giving up lots of things we’re used to using every day can be tough. But even a small swap can make a big difference, so why not try removing one single use product from your daily life as we head into 2023?

Things like crisp packets, kitchen roll and used takeaway pizza boxes can’t be recycled. Are you able to give one of these up in the new year?

Cook with fresh produce and say no to ready meals

You know when you grab one of those ready meals on your way home with the black plastic trays? It turns out they’re pretty difficult to recycle and contain three types of waste (cardboard box, tray and film lid).

If you cook with seasonal products that don’t contain packaging, you are really reducing the amount of waste in your kitchen.

If you do cook ready meals due to time constraints, why not try cooking batches of food instead? You can divide your batch cooking into portions and freeze them for the week. It’ll stamp down your carbon footprint and you’ll notice a difference in your pocket too!

Two people preparing fresh vegetables on a counter

Choose a reusable water bottle

This one seems simple, right? We all know that single use plastic bottles are bad for the planet, especially if we can reuse a good quality bottle over and over again, keeping it in circulation for a long time.

By popping one in your bag, ready to use whenever you need, you are really helping to reduce your carbon footprint.

There you have it, five easy reuse-solutions and sustainable swaps you can make as we head into 2023. Which changes will you be making? Let us know on our Instagram page.