Let’s face it: living green isn’t always easy. Many are finding that being eco-friendly is more than just sorting your cans and driving less. Depending on where you live, trying to be more earth friendly can be very difficult indeed. Here are a few tips on how you can keep your going green New Years resolutions.

Recycling more one of the most popular going green New Years resolutions. What many don’t realize, however, is that recycling entails more than just putting your cans and paper into a blue bin. There are thousands of plastic and metal items each year that end up moldering in landfills simply because people didn’t realize they were indeed recyclable. These include electronics such as hard drives, computer monitors, cell phones, and batteries.

Fortunately, many cities have recycling centers that specialize in recycling and reusing your old electronics. If you’re unsure where to start, contact your manufacturer. When it comes to recycling cell phones in particular, most phone companies have special organizations dedicated to receiving old phones. Oftentimes it’s as simple a matter as putting your phone and its accessories into a designated container and dropping it into a mailbox.

Recycling isn’t the only common going green New Years resolutions. If you’re worried about your carbon footprint, you can help reduce it by carpooling to work, taking the bus, or even busing or biking. If you have a long commute to work and can’t find alternatives to driving, try reducing your driving regarding your other activities. Try biking or walking to the store or the library, for example.

What are other going green New Years resolutions? The issue of chemicals is often a big one with environmentally conscious homeowners. Rather than using products that may harm the environment, why not use safer alternatives? For example, instead of using spray-on deodorant, try using deodorizing baking soda instead. If you can’t stay away from common household cleaners, try to purchase ones that have the least amount of harsh abrasives or chemicals. You can also keep your going green New Years resolutions by researching how you can dispose of your leftover chemicals in a way that keeps them from inadvertently harming the earth or water.

In keeping your going green resolutions, you are doing more than just conditioning yourself to purchase earth friendly products, recycle more, and reduce your carbon footprint. You are contributing to the health of our planet in an enormous way. This will not only affect your daily life, but it may have a positive effect on the environment for future generations as well. Act now and learn more going green New Years resolutions today!