With the new year and resolutions on our mind we asked some of our leadership team what is their new year’s resolution. Take a look at what Jessica, Erica and Meghan had to say.
Jessica Goodman
EVENTS LEAD
RESOLUTION: Meal prep vegetarian lunches for the workdays.
How do you plan to accomplish your resolution?
I am finding vegetarian lunch recipes online and keeping a list.
Why do you feel this is important?
Vegetarian meals are better for the environment.
How will this impact your life and or the environment around you?
Eating vegetarian meals can reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. Vegetarian meals also use less water.
What will be the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge will be finding recipes I like. I also don’t love cooking so it’ll be hard to find things I like that are easy to make.
What will you consider success by the end of the year?
I will feel successful if I am able to do this ¾ week a month.
How did you come up with this resolution?
I wanted to make a change that was healthier and good for the environment.
erica Shear
EVENTS LEAD
RESOLUTION: Use more reusable plastics - particularly reusable plastic bags.
How do you plan to accomplish your resolution?
I just bought a ton of reusable bags and plan to get more instead of replacing with traditional plastic options.
Why do you feel this is important?
Reduce my own footprint and waste created. This is an easy change to make without major “habit changes” but has a good impact.
How will this impact your life and or the environment around you?
Less trash/plastics going to landfills!
What will be the biggest challenge?
I don’t think reusable plastic bags will be a challenge but I hope this can expand to identifying other reusable options around my house and in my life!
What will you consider success by the end of the year?
Completely eliminate the need for one time use plastics to store my food!
How did you come up with this resolution?
I was inspired by the Net Impact community and actions everyone is taking to reduce their footprint. That, and the state of our climate/climate change and the sense that everyone can play an important part in changing that!
Meghan chiasson
FINANCE CHAIR
RESOLUTION: Replace items with sustainable alternatives.
How do you plan to accomplish your resolution?
Researching swaps and asking friends / network for brand suggestions.
Why do you feel this is important?
Where we put our money matters. Continuing to purchase unsustainable or harmful products will ensure they continue to get produced.
How will this impact your life and or the environment around you?
Positive impact to the environment as well as being cost effective in the long run.
What will be the biggest challenge?
Finding brands that I can trust - finding locally made not China and ignoring green-washing and researching to make sure the products are sustainable.
What will you consider success by the end of the year?
I will feel successful if I am able to convert 80% of my next purchases to sustainable products
How did you come up with this resolution?
I was looking for something that is a slow change, meaning I will be able to stick to it because there is not a large upfront cost.
Janet huang
EVENTS LEAD
RESOLUTION: Buy more bulk items and less items with plastic packaging.
How do you plan to accomplish your resolution?
Being more mindful when shopping to gravitate towards items with no or very little plastic versus items with plastic just for convenience.
Why do you feel this is important?
Plastic has become a big factor in waste, especially since most of it can’t truly be recycled.
How will this impact your life and or the environment around you?
It will allow me to personally reduce the waste I generate on the planet and possibly inspire others to do the same.
What will be the biggest challenge?
Time and convenience: I generally gravitate towards items in plastic when I’m in a rush or have no time (i.e. pre-chopped veggies).
What will you consider success by the end of the year?
I will feel successful when I reduce my plastic usage by 50%.
How did you come up with this resolution?
I took a look at how my lifestyle was affecting the planet and determined where I can start to reduce that impact.