With New Years just around the corner, it’s time to clean our slates and rewrite our resolutions:

• Spend more time with family.
• Quit that terrible habit.
• Go to the gym.

But with a planet in peril, let’s not forget to make a few pledges to the earth. As we embrace the New Year and vow to change our ways, why not cut down on energy use and water wastage while we’re at it? There are plenty of green New Years resolutions to be made. Finding it overwhelming? Not sure where to start? Over the next seven days I’ll give you seven simple suggestions for green-focused New Years resolutions. Today, lets begin with the simplest resolution of all . . .

1. Say No To Plastic Bags
Each year, Americans throw away enough plastic bags to wrap the planet 4,000 times. Considering it takes an average of 500 years for a plastic bag to decompose, we’re literally covering our planet with islands of plastic bags. This year, take the pledge. Carry a tote to the store or keep a reserve of already used plastic bags in your car, purse, briefcase or pocket. This way you’ll always have them on hand so you won’t forget them when you need them most . . .

Stay tuned for resolutions two through seven.

Posted on December 25th, 2007 by Olivia Zaleski