If you want to be more eco-friendly in the New Year but don’t know where to start this list is for you.

Instead of setting lofty resolutions at the beginning of the year, look at these 12 specific areas in your zero waste journey so you can make effective and long term change in 2020.

Whilst going into the New Year with big dreams of going zero waste or being more eco friendly sounds great, how are you actually going to make them happen?

Instead of setting a big vague resolution or two, plan out your goal month by month to help make long term positive change the whole year long. We’ve come up with 12 different areas to focus on and some suggestions to get you started. The idea is to start a new one every month, and by the end of the month it will have become a habit.

Shower

Replace bottled shampoo with shampoo bars or cubes

Switch to a metal safety razor

Use conditioner in a glass jar or bar

Beauty

Use cotton cosmetic rounds instead of disposable cotton ball or wipes

Buy a cleansing bar to use instead of bottled

Choose foundation in cardboard rather than plastic

Bathroom

Use a bar of hand soap instead of bottled

Buy recycled or bamboo toilet paper

Ditch plastic cotton swabs for bamboo ones (or none at all)

Kitchen

Choose washable cloth sponges over plastic sponges

Swap cling film for wax wraps

Buy wooden scrubbing brushes over plastic

Takeout

Create or buy an ‘on-the-go’ zero waste kit and take it with you

Say no to plastic straws, cutlery and cups

Replace broken plastic lunch boxes with durable metal tins

Body

Switch to deodorant in a cardboard tube

Buy coral safe suncream in a tin

Have a zero waste period with a mentral cup, reusable cloth pads or period pants

Teeth

Swap plastic floss for compostable floss

Use a bamboo toothbrush instead of plastic

Choose mouthwash tablets over bottled

Cleaning

Use a biodegradable coconut scrub pad

Make your own cleaning products from natural ingredients

Cut up an old towel or shirt to use as cleaning cloth

Laundry

Swap detergent for soapnuts

Hang your laundry to air dry over using a tumble dryer

Use a zero waste stain remover bar

Clothing

Say no to fast fashion

Buy second hand or high quality clothes that will last

Learn how to sow and fix your clothes

Food

Grow your own herbs in your garden, patio or window sill

Meal plan to use leftovers and reduce food waste

Research bulk or refill stores in your area

Giving

Give experiences, second hand or homemade gifts

Re-purpose newspaper, magazines or fabric as wrapping paper

Swap plastic tape for recyclable paper tape

Whilst you don’t need a new year to make positive life changes, the start of a new year somehow makes it easier to let go of the past, let go to what has been and to look to the future with refreshed hope and enthusiasm.

Whatever you do, please remember it’s not about being perfect, not every one of these will work for everyone. Do what you can and make the list your own so that is suitable for your lifestyle and budget.