I know New Year’s resolutions are a little cheesy, and usually don’t last, but I love the idea that next year I can do better. Among the staff and volunteers at Recycle Utah, Mary always pushed the idea of “green resolutions,” and it stuck with me: what’s one habit you can shift that makes the planet — and honestly, you — a little better? Last year, I aimed to reduce my household waste to almost zero, and because of Recycle Utah, I was actually able to do it. At this point, the only regular in my trash can is cat litter, and while I know there are more sustainable brands, my picky cat has made her preferences clear. This fall, I’ve also been walking as much as I can, and I’m planning to keep that going for as long as possible before Recycle Utah relocates. For 2026, I’m focusing on what I buy. I’m deleting my Amazon account and committing to finding what I need locally. If I truly can’t, I’ll choose a different online retailer. Amazon’s carbon emissions keep climbing, and it’s hard to teach kids about the importance of shopping local if I’m not modeling it myself. I’m also committing to buying less. I’m constantly decluttering my house, and maybe, if I stop bringing things in, the cycle will actually break. I should also probably turn down more treasures from Recycle Utah, but that can be a resolution for a different year. If you’re thinking about making your own green resolution, it helps to know what makes the biggest difference. We’re already feeling the impacts of a warming climate in our depressing start to the ski season, and individual choices really do add up. Choosing to drive less — walking, biking, riding the bus, or even swapping a meeting for Zoom — cuts emissions more than most people realize. Cutting out even one long international flight can make a meaningful impact. And eating less meat, even a few days a week, really makes a difference.  Water is our most precious resource in Utah, and one of the most powerful actions you can take is to reduce the size of your lawn. Every bit of turf you remove helps conserve water and directs more water to the Great Salt Lake, and Park City’s Landscape Incentive Program makes it easy and profitable. And when it comes to waste, composting is huge. You can drop food scraps at Recycle Utah or sign up for pickup through the Community Foundation’s Zero Food Waste initiative. Recycling your plastic bags, batteries, and other hard-to-recycle items at Recycle Utah also keeps far more out of the landfill than most people realize. So as the year wraps up, ask yourself: What’s one small promise you can make to reduce your water, waste, or carbon footprint? How can you make yourself proud of what you did for our planet when you look back this time next year? Recycle Utah, your community non-profit drop-off recycling center, provides these weekly tips. Visit their website for more information: www.recycleutah.org. The post Green Tips: Make a green resolution this year appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less