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A new year is always great way to clean up, clear out and get organized. Your resolution for January is to increase recycling efforts by getting your bins in order. Find a space in your pantry, kitchen, laundry room or wherever will best work for you. Luckily here in Greensboro, we do not have to sort out our items so that makes it even easier. Just make sure you know all of the items that are accepted. Also make a space for those plastic bags and take them to the nearest place to recycle - such as the grocery store that gave them to you in the first place. Aside from simply reducing waste, recycling saves energy and overall is good for the environment, to include your neighborhood and surrounding areas where landfill space is ultimately kept at a minimum and not increased. Your motto this month, "Think before you sink" into the garbage. Before you know it, you will be asking "What about this? What about that?" and creating a bin out of coffee cans for those bottle caps and batteries that can also be recycled.

 

• February - I will turn down the thermostat a few degrees and check my home for areas where heat could be escaping.
• March - I will begin and/or increase my practice of using reusable items such as bags and bottles.
• April - I will plant a garden and/or begin shopping at my local farmer's market.
• May - I will consider composting, even at the most basic level.
• June - I will begin water conservation efforts in my home and install a rain barrel.
• July - I will begin the practice of driving more efficiently to conserve fuel and reduce my carbon output.
• August - I will turn up the thermostat a few degrees and re-check for places in my home where the cool air may be escaping.
• September - I will reduce my energy consumption by turning off lights and appliances when not in use.
• October - I will precycle and consider the packaging and production efforts involved when making my purchasing decisions.
• November - I will decorate, shop, wrap and recycle responsibly for the holidays.
• December - I will donate unused items, clothing, household goods to a local charity, consignment or second-hand shop.

So there you have it. Start out with just one or take on a few at a time. Just don't let yourself get overwhelmed and give up. It's a new year with twelve months to begin new habits for a more resourceful decade to come.

Happy New Year! 

Jeanne lives in Greensboro with her husband Tom and two children, Jack (10) and Ben (7). She publishes The Green Samaritan, her personal blog, and also has been a guest contributor for RE3.org and ModernHippieMag.com. You can follow on Twitter @greensamaritan and become a fan on Facebook.