The trash produced around the world keeps rising, but studies show that changing the habits of people and businesses can make a big difference. According to research, the most long-lasting change in behaviour often comes from small, repeated actions, such as reusing things, buying less, and becoming more efficient. Psychologists say that habits are easier to stick to when they don’t feel like too much. There is a saying, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” Cutting down on waste doesn’t mean you have to be perfect or make big changes to your life. It’s about noticing the choices you make every day and making ones that are a little better, over and over again. In addition to making things cheaper and saving resources in homes, schools, and on trips, small changes can create a sense of shared duty for the future.

Start Small With Reusables; Waste Drops

Honestly, I started just paying attention to what I toss every day. Using my own water bottle and a few reusable bags has made a crazy difference in how much waste I produce. My office even noticed. If you want to waste less, just pick one thing to start with. It’s easier than it sounds.

Selene Luk, Customer Care manager, Spanish Cultural Association of Hong Kong

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Source One Dish Locally; Guests Taste The Difference

In hospitality? Try buying from local farms for just one menu item this year. It took us a while to find growers who actually showed up, but we got to know them and our guests noticed how much better the food tasted. Supporting nearby farms also means fewer delivery miles, which is a clear win. Tell people what you’re doing. They’ll get behind it.

Allen Kou, Owner and Operator, Zinfandel Grille

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Track Costs And Energy; Choose Fewer, Better

One simple intention is to consume with awareness instead of habit. I suggest tracking one month of purchases and energy use. At Advanced Professional Accounting Services we do this with expenses and it works the same at home. Small changes add up. Repair before replacing. Choose fewer but better options. This mindset builds responsibility without pressure.

Rebecca Brocard Santiago, Owner, Advanced Professional Accounting Services

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Hands-On Projects Shift Habits At Home

We had students map local waste streams and suggest solutions. It got them talking about trash with their families. Since starting these hands-on projects, I’ve noticed more reusable lunch containers and kids reminding each other to turn off lights. A simple classroom assignment can actually change a family’s daily habits.

Yoan Amselem, Managing Director, German Cultural Association of Hong Kong

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Right-Size Servers; Slash Costs And Digital Waste

This year I did something simple at my company, Fotoria. We checked on our server usage and found that by only running what we actually needed, we saved money and cut waste. We also asked the team to think before starting big AI jobs. You can try this at work or home. It’s easier than you think, and it feels good to know you’re producing less digital junk.

Edward Cirstea, Founder, Fotoria

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Swap Disposable Cups For Mugs; Trash Halves

My lab team got tired of all the plastic trash. We took away the disposable cups and brought in mugs instead. Honestly, three months later our trash was cut in half. It showed me you don’t have to do everything. Just sticking to one small thing, like using your own cup, makes it feel manageable and actually works.

David Cornado, Partner, French Teachers Association of Hong Kong

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Start With Pet Gear; Make Lower-Impact Swaps

If you’re trying to be a little easier on the planet, start with your pet’s stuff. We swapped to biodegradable waste bags and a better dog food. It’s not a huge change, so it actually stuck. You’d be surprised how these small things add up over time, and sometimes it gets other people thinking too.

Zubair Ahmed, Owner, BowPurr.com

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Spend Travel Dollars Locally; Enrich Communities

This year, try spending your travel money locally. Last year in Hawaii, I had a family skip the big tours. We went to local markets and a small hike with a local guide instead. They left knowing more about the real island culture and brought home some great crafts. Spending locally helps the community and the environment. Next time you visit, buy from a local artisan instead of a chain store.

Bryan Murphy, Owner, Hawaii’s Best Travel

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Borrow Gear For Events; Cut Waste

Running a fitness rental company taught me something obvious. This past year we got more people renting gear for local events instead of buying new. We literally saw less equipment ending up in landfills and more folks joining in. So if you need a New Year’s idea, just borrow what you only need for a short time. It’s an easy way to be less wasteful.

Paul Healey, Managing Director, Hire Fitness

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Use Cloths And Safer Cleaners; Trash Falls

Here’s a simple switch. Use reusable cloths instead of paper towels and swap out harsh chemicals for safer cleaners. I’ve seen firsthand at Jacksonville Maids that this cuts down on a ton of trash, and your place will still be spotless. When you start doing this, you might be surprised to find your family or coworkers want in on your secret.

Justin Carpenter, Founder, Jacksonville Maids

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Choose Transparent Brands; Reward Real Sustainability

I try to buy from brands that show you where their stuff comes from and how it gets to you. In my work with online shops, I see customers respond better when companies are straight up about things like switching to smaller packaging or starting a recycling program. We worked with creators who actually care about this stuff and put it right on the website. It’s not a huge fix, but it helps.

Ankit Prajapati, eCommrce SEO Consultant, Consultant Ankit

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Boost Home Efficiency; Save Money, Cut Waste

Here’s a New Year’s goal that actually pays off: make your home more energy-efficient. I’ve done this with a few houses, and the lower bills are always a real win. You don’t need a huge project. Small changes like switching to LED bulbs or sealing up drafty windows add up over the year. It’s an easy way to waste less and save some money.

Mike Wall, Founder/CEO, We Buy Gulf Coast Houses

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Earn Cashback And Choose Sustainable Options

Want to shop greener? We’ve added sustainable brands to our cashback deals at CashbackHQ. Users get excited not just about saving money, but making better choices too. It’s easier to see how small things, like carbon-neutral shipping, add up over a year. Suddenly it’s less of a chore and more of a win.

Ben Rose, Founder & CEO, CashbackHQ

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Embrace Minimalism; Buy Less, Choose Quality

My goal this year is to buy less, inspired by Japanese minimalism. We applied this to our Japantastic catalog, choosing a few quality items over lots of trendy ones. At home, it’s the same principle. Sticking to essentials cuts down on waste and clutter, and honestly, it just makes the space feel calmer.

Falah Putras, Owner, Japantastic

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Ditch Paper Proofs; Use Digital Mockups

Here’s a good new year goal for creatives. Last year I stopped printing client proofs and switched to digital mockups instead. My paper costs dropped right away, and I wasn’t throwing out so many revised drafts anymore. Honestly, those small changes you make in your workflow really do add up, both for your bottom line and for the environment.

Juri Korotenkich, Admin, YM-Graphix

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Carry Reusables Daily; Cut Everyday Waste

One meaningful intention is to reduce everyday waste by using reusable items. Bring your own bags to the grocery store instead of relying on plastic ones. Carry a refillable water bottle rather than buying single-use plastic bottles. These small, repeatable choices fit easily into daily life and significantly reduce unnecessary waste.

Simone Sloan, Executive Strategist, Your Choice Coach

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