Green Goals: Sustainable Resolutions for a Fresh Start in the New Year 2025
As the New Year approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect and consider the changes you want to embrace in the year ahead. Here at the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center, we’re dedicated to making 2025 a year of sustainability, waste reduction, and diversion. To help you join the effort, here are four simple resolutions for a more eco-conscious New Year.
Shrink your Footprint: Consume Mindfully
In our consumer-driven world, reducing unnecessary purchases protects the planet and saves money.
Pause Before You Buy: Ask yourself if the item is a true necessity or if there’s a way to reuse, borrow, or repurpose what you already have.
Embrace Quality Over Quantity: Choose durable, high-quality products that last longer and reduce the need for replacements.
Opt for Reusables: Everyday items like water bottles, coffee cups, shopping bags, and even cloth napkins can cut down on single-use plastics and reduce landfill waste.
Think Local: Shopping locally not only supports small businesses but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with shipping and excessive packaging from online orders.
Repair and Reuse: Instead of discarding damaged items, look into repair options. Many local businesses or DIY solutions can breathe new life into clothes, electronics, and household goods.
Reimagine your waste; a second life awaits
Aspen has long been at the forefront of environmental initiatives, yet our landfill towers over 160 feet—higher than the Wheeler Opera House and all the Jerome buildings combined! By rethinking how we dispose of waste, we can help reduce its growth and protect our environment.
Compost: Participate in Pitkin County’s composting program, which turns organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.
Recycle: Recycle smart! Glass and metals are endlessly recyclable, making them the most sustainable choices. Keep this in mind when choosing your next products.
Donate: Used home goods are not waste! Give old furniture and household items new life by donating to the Motherlode Mercantile or Aspen Thrift Store.
Ride Towards a Sustainable Community
Transportation is a key contributor to carbon emissions, especially in our valley, where long commutes are common, and 44% of commuters drive alone. Let’s rethink how we get around:
Carpooling: The valley’s linear layout makes ride-sharing convenient and impactful.
RFTA Buses: The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), nationally recognized for excellence, offers reliable and sustainable commuting options.
Bike Share: Aspen’s bikeshare program provides free 30-minute rides, easing congestion and reducing emissions.
Engage Locally for a sustainable future
Strengthen community bonds while protecting the environment by volunteering and voting. Volunteering addresses local issues like waste reduction and conservation, while voting ensures long-term policies reflect the values of a greener future. Together, these actions strengthen collective efforts to preserve the spaces we all share. Making our town a community and not a commodity.
Volunteer: Join efforts like Frying Pan River Cleanup or Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers to safeguard the places we love.
Vote: Use your voice to shape policies that prioritize sustainability and ensure our community thrives.
Learn: Attend educational events by CORE, ACES, or the Aspen Ideas Institute to deepen your knowledge.
Each small action you take has the power to ripple into big change. By committing to these resolutions, you’re not just improving your own habits—you’re contributing to a healthier, more sustainable future for our community and planet. Let’s make 2025 the year we come together to protect the spaces we love.
An image depicting a cheerful bear writing their New Years Resolution list!