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Would you like to reduce your environmental impact? Setting a sustainable new year’s resolution can be a great way to make positive changes in your life. We can often go big on our resolutions and then struggle to stick to them, that’s why we suggest 10 easy and simple resolutions you can start to ease sustainability into your daily life.

1. Reduce meat and dairy consumption

The food we eat has a huge impact on the planet. According to the UN FAOLink opens in a new window meat production is responsible for around 14.5% of global emissions. This doesn’t mean you have to go vegan overnight. Try avoiding meat and dairy for a few days a week and plan your meals to include some vegan and vegetarian options. If you’re feeling more adventurous, try signing up to Veganuary! Find out more including what's on offer at Warwick this January.

You can also follow @meatlessmondaywarwick and @warwcikvegsoc for tasty meatless recipes.

2. Spend more time in nature

Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeingLink opens in a new window. Explore green spaces on and off campus in your free time. Why not check out our campus trails and explore our energy trail? You could even help with wildlife surveys on campus or participate in Wednesday Warwick Wombles monthly litter picks. Furthermore, why not join our tree planting initiativeLink opens in a new window this February?

3. Buy second-hand clothing

Fast fashion is unethical and outdated. The process of creating clothing is environmentally wasteful and damaging. Around 11 million pieces of clothing are thrown away every single week in the UK alone! Why not take a look at Warwick Circuit’s events and find out how else you can make a difference on our Take Action pages?

4. Change your purchasing habits

There are so many simple swaps we can all make to reduce the impact of our purchases. Toothpaste tablets, refillable cleaning products, washable dishcloths, refillable personal hygiene products, refillable store cupboard items, reusable hot drink cups and lots, lots more. Check out or Eco-Switches posts every Tuesday for plenty of ideas. 

5. Sustainable travel

Do you know about all the more sustainable alternatives to single-occupancy car travel? There are lots of alternatives including public transportLink opens in a new window, cyclingLink opens in a new window, walking, carpoolingLink opens in a new window, and scooteringLink opens in a new window all of which entitle you to earn points on the BetterPointsLink opens in a new window app which can be exchanged for vouchers or donated to charities.

You can also try the West Midlands Bus on DemandLink opens in a new window which is a new type of bus service. It does not follow a specific route or timetable. Instead, you book a journey and a bus will pick you up at a time you choose. Or hop on Bus 14, this service is subsidised by the University, so staff and students can use it for a fare of only £1 when you show your University ID card. Interested? Find out more hereLink opens in a new window.

To further promote sustainable travel and to boost confidence, the Transport team have teamed up with Sustrans to provide free cycle training until March 2022.

Are you an advocate for sustainable transport? Why not inspire other to do the same? The University’s Sustainability team in collaboration with Transport for West Midlands is looking for Choose Your Way Warwick Ambassadors. Find out moreLink opens in a new window about the role and apply hereLink opens in a new window.

6. Stop food waste

According to UNEPLink opens in a new window 931 million tonnes of food is wasted each year. If food waste were a country, it would be the third biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Estimates suggest that food waste accounts for between 8 and 10% of global emissions. Reducing food waste is probably the easiest way to go greener in 2023. Try to buy fresh food little and often to reduce the likelihood of it going bad before it gets eaten. You can also use the Olio app to connect with neighbours or local businesses to share this food instead of throwing it away. Find out more on our Take Action pages.

7. Ditch single use plastic

Humans use about 1.2 million plastic bottles per minute in total. Approximately 91% of plastic is not recycled. Roughly half of our global annual plastic production is destined for a single-use product. Furthermore, the world uses 500 billion plastic cups every year.

Use reusable hot drink cups and water bottles to reduce your environmental impact; discounts are available at many of the retail outlets on campus. The university is currently working on the Plastic Free Communities pledge to tackle single-use plastic waste on campus.

8. Reduce your water and energy consumption

Do you know about the Cut the Flow initiative? Cut the Flow is an inter-block energy and water saving competition across the halls of residence on campus. Two prizes are awarded at the end of each term to the block that reduces their (1) energy and (2) water consumption the most. We have four Cut the Flow Assistants who regularly visit accommodation to raise awareness of the initiative and how you can increase the likelihood of your block winning the next prize. Join them as Cut the Flow Ambassadors!

Check out our Student Guide to Sustainable Living leaflet if you live off campus; and our Sustainable Home and Sustainable Campus posters for more tips.

9. Join like-minded groups

Did you know that there are multiple groups and societies on campus who are passionate about sustainability? Why not join their events? You can also join our Green Champions Network. The Sustainability Team will be relaunching the Student Green Champions Network on the 24th January 12-1pm in OC0.01 (Oculus) – we’d love to see you there!

10. Remember your shopping bag

A staggering 500 billion plastic bagsLink opens in a new window are used worldwide every year. Most end up in landfill or the environment. Invest in a good quality reusable shopping bag that can be reused again and again.