Perhaps swearing off all sugar or vowing to not drink caffeine are difficult New Year’s resolutions to keep. Many of us have written them on our lists year after year, only to fail miserably at keeping them.

It’s time to start on an easier task. Some habits are very hard to break, but others are fairly simple. Rather than attempt those big habits, let’s start with some simple ones. We need to protect our planet and save the environment. There are habits we can break easily that will accomplish this, assure a better future for our children and save you money right now as well!

Make a resolution to:

• Recycle everyday materials: Plastic, glass and paper can be recycled. Make separate bins for these items. You’ll be able to drop them off at a recycling center in your town. Many have free services available to you.
• Avoid the fast food joints: Cooking at home saves money, but it also will prevent a lot of plastic and Styrofoam from being dumped in our landfills.
• Replace your dishwasher with an Energy Star machine: Sometime during the coming year you’ll find a bargain on a dishwasher. You will find the Energy Star qualified dishwashers will not use as much water or electricity.
• Carpool: With the economy in the state it is now, you’ll find others are also looking for ways to save. Carpooling saves gas, prevents our atmosphere from being clogged with carbon monoxide, and makes your car last longer!
• Use remanufactured or compatible toner cartridges and ink cartridges: These remanufactured models not only cost less, but are better for our environment. Rather than toss out those cartridges, manufacturers reuse them by cleaning, inspecting and filling them carefully. Better than landfills overrun with cartridge parts that aren’t biodegradable!