Did you know that New Year’s resolutions are nearly the same each year? According to a poll on Public Opinion Strategies the top three in 2019 were — you guessed it — to exercise more, eat healthier and save money. What hasn’t made the charts yet, but can benefit both your health and your wallet, is to practice being more green.
Going green in 2020 is a New Year’s resolution that’s doable and one that you can incorporate into those resolutions you make year after year.
1. Going green by exercising more
Instead of just buying a gym membership with the best of intentions, use your go-green resolution to contribute to your overall health and time management (which this Fast Company article encourages less being more) and naturally create space in your life to allow more exercise in your day.
Consider changing your daily commute by switching to carpooling, vanpooling, public transportation or even biking to work. This will give you more time in your day for activities such as exercise. If you can bike or walk to work, even better.
Make the change
Did you know? SRP has promoted carpooling and vanpooling to employees since 1979. Employees can enter to win prizes in a monthly contest, and our Guaranteed Ride Home program ensures they’re never stranded. For cyclists, there are bike lockers and showers at almost every facility.
- Get started by using ShareTheRide to find other people in your area who are interested in carpooling, vanpooling, public transportation or biking to work.
- Need more inspiration to make a change? Calculate the cost of your commute to see just how much you can save (that’s right, you’ll be saving money too!).
- Keep the momentum going by planning your daily commute with one of Valley Metro’s online tools.
The green side
By using alternative transportation, you can reduce your contribution to air pollution. With cleaner air, who wouldn’t be inspired to take a walk after work? Especially when you arrive home earlier.
2. Going green by eating healthier
Are you planning to start a new diet for a new you in 2020? When you’re planning your meals, be sure to incorporate shopping local.
You’ll be amazed at the variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables available at farmers’ markets. If you’re not sure how to use them, ask the farmer! They’re happy to give you some tips and tricks on how to cook with their healthy produce.
Make the change
- Look up the market closest to you on the Arizona Community Farmers Markets site.
- Shopping seasonal requires a little more planning, but that planning will help you build a healthy eating habit.
The green side
Shopping local not only supports the local economy but also reduces air pollution since the food travels fewer miles to get to you. Walking around the market — or better yet, walking or biking there — is also a good way to fit in some more exercise.
Did you know? Our Local Roots employee program is all about shopping and eating local. An on-site farmers market hosted by Pepper Ranch rotates between SRP facilities and includes a loyalty program for frequent shoppers.
3. Going green by saving money
By changing your daily commute and shopping locally, you have already started to save money. Take it one step further by reducing and reusing. If you do need to buy something, then get it from a local business.
Make the change
- Reduce how much you use. For example, instead of buying bottled water, invest in a reusable, insulated water bottle.
- Refer to the Local First Arizona local business directory to make it easy to find what you are looking for.
- Reuse as much and as often as possible. For example, during your next holiday or birthday celebration, collect those gift bags and boxes to use again.
- Save energy by buying energy-saving appliances and taking advantage of SRP rebates and discounts.
The green side
Reducing, reusing and shopping local has countless benefits. But remember, while recycling does help, it’s actually better to simply use less. For example, most plastic water bottles are never recycled, and the recycling process is more complex and costly than many realize.
Did you know? At SRP we have taken recycling to the next level with the ReEnvision Waste program. Not only do we recycle at our facilities, but in 2018 we partnered with Recycled City to begin composting at our corporate offices.
Reducing your impact on the environment is good for your health and your wallet. To learn more about ways you can make sustainable New Year’s resolutions, take the Earth911 quiz.