In the December Local 20/20 column in the Port Townsend Leader, Mary Purdy shared personal actions we can take to live more sustainably in 2025.
The New Cool: Your 2025 Guide to Planet-Friendly Living
By Mary Purdy
Looking for New Year’s intentions that make you feel good while doing good? You’re not alone! More people than ever are embracing sustainable lifestyle choices. The good news? Small changes add up to big impacts. Here are eight doable ideas that can help you join the growing movement of eco-conscious individuals making a difference.
- Become a Food Waste Warrior: About 40% of the food we produce in the States is wasted, contributing to about 8% of greenhouse gases and costing the average American family approximately $1,500 yearly. Get creative with leftovers! Chop up those kale stems into a frittata! Toss that tired veggie into a pureed soup. Compost what you don’t use.
- BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug) Join the reusable container revolution! With over 16 billion disposable coffee cups thrown away annually, your daily coffee or tea ritual can have a meaningful impact. Many cafes now offer discounts for bringing your own mug – saving both the planet and your wallet.
- Share the Wear: Instead of buying new clothes, try hosting clothing swaps with friends or exploring local secondhand shops. The fashion industry produces 10% of global carbon emissions – more than international flights and maritime shipping combined! Plus, vintage is always in style.
- Be a laundry Hero! Wait until you have full loads for laundry. Modern washers use 15-45 gallons of water per load, regardless of size. And switching to air-drying your clothes can reduce your household’s carbon footprint by 2,400 pounds annually. Invest in a sturdy drying rack and save on energy costs too.
- Become a Borrowing Professional: From power tools to camping gear, borrowing items you’ll only use occasionally saves money and resources. Join local lending libraries or start a neighborhood sharing group. Great way to meet neighbors too!
- Embrace plant-based! Experiment with different beans and legumes in your cooking. They’re not just good for the planet (using far fewer resources and producing about 1/40th the greenhouse gases of beef) they’re also budget-friendly nutritional powerhouses packed with fiber and protein. Try those black bean enchiladas you’ve been eyeing or experiment with that lentil shepherd’s pie recipe.
- Create a Zero-Waste Kit Put together a small bag with reusables like cutlery, napkins, and containers for takeout or unexpected food opportunities. Keep it in your car or bag – you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy!
- Start a Garden (No Yard Required!) Whether it’s herbs on your windowsill or microgreens on your counter, growing even a small amount of your own food connects you to your food system and reduces packaging waste. Plus, nothing beats the taste of home-grown basil in your pasta!
Remember, sustainability isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress. Try out one or two ideas and build from there. You’re now part of a growing community making those changes happen. Here’s to a sustainable and joy-filled 2025!
BIO:
Mary Purdy is an eco-dietitian nutritionist and nutrition educator. She is adjunct faculty at the Culinary Institute of America and is Managing Director of The Nutrient Density Alliance, and is a member of the Local 20/20 Climate group.
