12 Sustainable Living Tips: A Month-by-Month Guide for to Sustainable Living in 2025

New Year, Greener Goals: 12 Attainable Sustainable Living Tips

As we approach a new year, there’s an undeniable energy that comes with fresh beginnings. With all the hustle and bustle of life, we often forget how much impact our individual choices can have on the planet. But I’m here to remind you that it’s not too late to make a difference—and it’s never been easier to start sustainable living.

As we face the challenges of climate change and the depletion of natural resources, we all have a responsibility to take action. And it doesn’t have to be daunting. Small, manageable steps toward sustainability can have a lasting impact—not only for you, but for future generations. Imagine what we could accomplish if each of us committed to making one change a month for the year. Imagine that multiplied by friends, families, communities, and beyond. That's how we make a real difference.

Quick story

Years ago, my dad helped me write a speech for a beauty pageant where I was asked to share how I could make the world a better place. To this day, there’s one line from that speech that continues to inspire me: “If each of us tackles one issue that concerns us, encourages others to join, and then formulates a plan to create change, we’ll help to generate a beneficial solution.” This mindset is how I approach sustainability, and it’s how I encourage you to begin your journey, too.

Feeling overwhelmed about starting your sustainability journey?

Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Knowing where to begin can be the hardest part, but a little guidance can make it so much easier.

Grab the Sustainability Checklist & Monthly Habit Tracker Bundle—it’s like a friendly nudge in the right direction.

Inside, you’ll find:

✅ A simple, no-stress checklist to help you make easy, sustainable swaps.

✅ Monthly habit trackers to keep you motivated and celebrate the little wins.

✅ Practical tips to reduce waste, ditch toxins, and live a bit more earth-friendly.

You don’t have to do it all at once—just start where you are. This bundle makes it easy to take that first step!

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Quick Note: You don’t need to buy a ton of new stuff to live sustainably—in fact, that’s the opposite of what sustainability is all about. Throughout this post, I mention some helpful products, but think of them as optional tools to add over time if they fit your lifestyle.

Some items might not be necessary, and others may become useful as your journey evolves. There’s no rush—start where you are, use what you have, and come back to this list whenever you’re ready!

📋 Your Sustainable Shopping List 👇

• Sustainable Kitchen

  • Reusable Mesh Produce Bags – Ditch plastic when shopping for groceries.

  • Bamboo Paper Towels – Machine washable and reusable!

  • E-Reader (Kindle) – Reduce paper waste and read more sustainably.

  • Reusable Silicone Storage Bags – Ditch plastic Ziploc bags for good.

  • Glass Meal Prep Containers – Store leftovers without plastic.

  • Stainless Steel Straws – A simple swap for eco-friendly sipping.

  • Plant-Based Cookbook – Delicious and easy recipes to get started.

  • Reusable Beeswax Wraps – Say goodbye to plastic wrap.

  • Vegetable Spiralizer – Make fun, healthy veggie noodles.

  • Bamboo Dish Brushes – Ditch plastic sponges for good.

• Sustainable Storage & Organization

  • Stackable Storage Bins – Organize what you’re keeping with these space-saving bins.

  • Vacuum Storage Bags – Reduce bulky seasonal clothing and linens.

  • Label Maker – Keep everything neat and easy to find.

• Sustainable Lighting

  • Energy-Efficient LED Light Bulbs – A simple swap with big energy savings.

  • Smart Power Strips – Reduce phantom power drain from plugged-in electronics.

  • Solar-Powered Outdoor Lights – Cut down on electricity while brightening your yard.

• Composting

  • Countertop Compost Bin – Perfect for small spaces and easy composting.

  • Outdoor Compost Tumbler – Speed up composting with this rotating bin.

  • Biodegradable Compost Bags – Keep your compost bin mess-free.

• Sustainable Clothing

  • Organic Cotton T-Shirts – A staple wardrobe piece made sustainably.

  • Fabric Shaver – Refresh old clothes instead of buying new ones.

• Sustainable Gardening

  • Indoor Herb Garden Kit – Perfect for beginners.

  • Compostable Seedling Pots – Eco-friendly and biodegradable.

  • Self-Watering Planters – Great for those who forget to water.

  • Indoor Plant Set – Bring nature indoors for a fresh start.

• Sustainable Water

  • Low-Flow Showerhead – Save water without sacrificing pressure.

  • Rain Barrel for Water Collection – Use rainwater for gardening.

  • Sink Aerators – Reduce water flow without noticing a difference.

• Additional

  • Reusable Digital Notebook – Write notes without wasting paper.

  • Refillable Glass Spray Bottles – Perfect for DIY cleaners.

  • Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets – No more bulky plastic jugs.

  • Sustainable Gift Wrapping Set – Beautiful, zero-waste wrapping.

  • Reusable Advent Calendar – A fun way to cut down on holiday waste.

  • Eco-Friendly Candles – Made with soy wax and non-toxic scents.

  • Sustainable Living Journal – Track your progress and goals.

  • Solar-Powered Fairy Lights – Cozy up your space sustainably.

Ready to get started? Let’s dive into the 12 months of change that will help make 2025 your most sustainable year yet!

January

Declutter & Donate:

Start the year with a fresh start! Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about reducing waste and giving pre-loved items a second life. Donate gently used clothing, books, and household items to local charities or thrift stores.

🌿 Sustainable Tip: Before tossing anything, ask yourself: Can this be donated, repurposed, or recycled?

👉 Amazon Finds:

• Stackable Storage Bins – Organize what you’re keeping with these space-saving bins.

• Vacuum Storage Bags – Reduce bulky seasonal clothing and linens.

• Label Maker – Keep everything neat and easy to find.

February

Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting:

Cold winter months mean more time indoors—and more energy use. Swap outdated bulbs for LED light bulbs, which last up to 25 times longer and use 80% less energy than incandescent ones.

🌿 Sustainable Tip: Install smart plugs to reduce standby energy usage from appliances when they’re not in use.

👉 Amazon Finds:

• Energy-Efficient LED Light Bulbs – A simple swap with big energy savings.

• Smart Power Strips – Reduce phantom power drain from plugged-in electronics.

• Solar-Powered Outdoor Lights – Cut down on electricity while brightening your yard.

March

Start Composting Food Scraps:

With spring on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to start composting food waste! Whether you have a backyard compost bin or a kitchen countertop composter, turning food scraps into nutrient-rich soil helps reduce landfill waste.

🌿 Sustainable Tip: If you’re not ready to compost at home, check if your city offers a composting service.

👉 Amazon Finds:

• Countertop Compost Bin – Perfect for small spaces and easy composting.

• Outdoor Compost Tumbler – Speed up composting with this rotating bin.

• Biodegradable Compost Bags – Keep your compost bin mess-free.

April

Choose Sustainable Fashion:

April is Earth Month, making it a great time to rethink your shopping habits. Support brands that use ethical labor practices, organic fabrics, and slow fashion principles.

🌿 Sustainable Tip: Use resale platforms like ThredUp, Poshmark, and Depop to buy and sell clothing instead of supporting fast fashion.

👉 Amazon Finds:

• Organic Cotton T-Shirts – A staple wardrobe piece made sustainably.

• Blueland Laundry Detergent – Clean your clothes with clean toxic free ingredients.

• Fabric Shaver – Refresh old clothes instead of buying new ones.

May

Go Paperless:

From bank statements to grocery lists, we use a ton of paper without realizing it. Going paperless reduces waste, saves trees, and simplifies your life.

🌿 Sustainable Tip: Use apps like GoodNotes or Evernote for digital note-taking and planning.

👉 Amazon Finds:

• Reusable Digital Notebook – Write notes without wasting paper.

• Bamboo Paper Towels – Machine washable and reusable!

• E-Reader (Kindle) – Reduce paper waste and read more sustainably.

June

Reduce Single Use Plastics:

Summer means more outdoor adventures, but it also means more plastic waste. Swap disposable items for reusable alternatives, like stainless steel water bottles and silicone storage bags.

🌿 Sustainable Tip: Bring your own reusable shopping bags and say no to plastic utensils when ordering takeout. If you forget your bag, opt for paper bags over plastic and reuse them!

👉 Amazon Finds:

• Reusable Silicone Storage Bags – Ditch plastic Ziploc bags for good.

• Glass Meal Prep Containers – Store leftovers without plastic.

• Stainless Steel Straws – A simple swap for eco-friendly sipping.

July

Embrace Plant-Based Eating:

Even adding two plant-based meals per week can lower your carbon footprint. Reducing meat consumption conserves water and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

🌿 Sustainable Tip: Visit your local farmer’s market for fresh, seasonal produce. Supporting small farmers reduces transportation emissions and promotes sustainable agriculture.

👉 Amazon Finds:

• Plant-Based Cookbook – Delicious and easy recipes to get started.

• Reusable Beeswax Wraps – Say goodbye to plastic wrap.

• Vegetable Spiralizer – Make fun, healthy veggie noodles.

August

Start a Garden:

Whether you have a backyard garden or just a few pots on a balcony, growing your own herbs and vegetables is a great way to be more self-sufficient and reduce packaging waste from store-bought produce.

🌿 Sustainable Tip: Choose native plants and pollinator-friendly flowers to help bees and butterflies thrive. 🌸🐝

👉 Amazon Finds:

• Indoor Herb Garden Kit – Perfect for beginners.

• Compostable Seedling Pots – Eco-friendly and biodegradable.

• Self-Watering Planters – Great for those who forget to water.

🌿 Ready to be more self sufficient? Check out the digital shop for practical guides and resources to help you garden in harmony with nature! 👇

September

Choose (or DIY) Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products:

Most conventional cleaning supplies contain harmful chemicals and come in wasteful plastic packaging. Opt for refillable, plant-based, and non-toxic alternatives to keep your home and the planet cleaner.

🌿 Sustainable Tip: Make your own DIY all-purpose cleaner using vinegar, lemon, and baking soda—it’s cheaper, safer, and just as effective! Check out my DIY All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe to get started!

👉 Amazon Finds:

• Refillable Glass Spray Bottles – Perfect for DIY cleaners.

• Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Sheets – No more bulky plastic jugs.

• Bamboo Dish Brushes – Ditch plastic sponges for good.

October

Reduce Water Waste:

Small changes can save thousands of gallons of water each year. Being mindful of water usage helps conserve resources and lowers utility bills.

🌿 Sustainable Tip: Place a bucket in your shower to collect extra water while it warms up. Use it to water plants instead of letting it go down the drain.

👉 Amazon Finds:

• Low-Flow Showerhead – Save water without sacrificing pressure.

• Rain Barrel for Water Collection – Use rainwater for gardening.

• Sink Aerators – Reduce water flow without noticing a difference.

November

Support Sustainable Brands:

With holiday shopping around the corner, make an effort to support brands that prioritize fair trade, ethical sourcing, and eco-friendly production. Look for B Corp certifications or brands that use recycled and biodegradable packaging.

🌿 Sustainable Tip: Give experiences instead of physical gifts—like concert tickets, cooking classes, or subscriptions to eco-friendly brands!

👉 Amazon Finds:

• Sustainable Gift Wrapping Set – Beautiful, zero-waste wrapping.

• Reusable Advent Calendar – A fun way to cut down on holiday waste.

• Eco-Friendly Candles – Made with soy wax and non-toxic scents.

December

Reflect & Celebrate Your Progress:

Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Take time to review your eco-friendly habits, set goals for the upcoming year, and celebrate how far you’ve come!

🌿 Sustainable Tip: Plan your sustainability goals for next year. Whether it’s starting a zero-waste challenge, buying from small businesses, or switching to green energy, every step counts!

👉 Amazon Finds:

• Sustainable Living Journal – Track your progress and goals.

• Indoor Plant Set – Bring nature indoors for a fresh start.

• Solar-Powered Fairy Lights – Cozy up your space sustainably.

Sustainability isn’t an all-or-nothing task. It’s about making conscious choices every day that contribute to a greener planet. By setting achievable goals each month, you can slowly transform your habits and inspire those around you to do the same. Imagine how much of a difference we could make if we all took these steps together—one change at a time.

What small change are you going to start with this month? Let me know your sustainable living tips in the comments below!

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