Sustainability Spotlight - January 2026 - Green New Years Resolutions
Happy New Year from Sustainable Wheat Ridge! Since we are all making resolutions to better ourselves in 2026, why not add a few to better our environment and sustainable community? Little actions by each person today can make a big impact on our future together, so we have compiled a list of things we can all start doing today to make 2026 and beyond more prosperous for our city and the world.
Reusable resolutions to start the reusable revolution!
- Bring reusable bags on errands – Tip (because we all forget from time to time): Keep 2-3 reusable bags in your car and cycle them out as you use them that way you don’t have to worry about grabbing them as you leave the house.
- Reusable batteries – Rechargeable batteries may have a slightly higher upfront cost but tend to have longer life off a single charge than alkaline batteries, saving you a lot of money over time. Couple that with reducing batteries in landfill waste it’s a true win-win for you and our environment.
Keep the Love Local!
- Eat locally – Choosing a local restaurant is a great way to not only try something new, but also helps our friends and neighbors. Many restaurants in Wheat Ridge are owned by people that live in the community and source their food options from our city and surrounding areas.
- Shop locally – Not only will you be supporting a small business and helping those that live in our city, you can also work on fitness based resolutions at the same time. Walking or biking to a store near your neighborhood is heart healthy and reduces environmental impact from driving your car.
Keep Going Strong in the Spring!
- Grow your own food – Growing your own vegetables and herbs is a great way to dress up any meal and it gives you a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, anything you can’t use can be given to friends, neighbors or a local food bank.
- Carbon footprint reduction – Planting early season vegetables in the spring and later season plants in summer can increase your growing season and help your soil stay healthy. By adding you own kitchen waste compost will not only cut down on waste but can help reduce your sue of store bought and chemical fertilizers.
We hope this tips and ideas help you kick 2026 off right and support your personal resolutions and possibly inspire some new ones!
More about Sustainable Wheat Ridge
Sustainable Wheat Ridge is a resident-led committee that was established in 2016 to provide the city with recommendations to enhance the environmental sustainability of Wheat Ridge. Included in these recommendations are goals around preserving Wheat Ridge’s agricultural history, connecting local producers and consumers, and establishing partnerships to support local food production.
