What’s Your Green Resolution for 2010?

It’s the time of year when people are making resolutions to lose weight, better manage their finances, better manage their anger, and myriad other things. Is increasing your commitment to environmental sustainability on that list?

As I wrote in my very first post for The Inspired Economist in the fall of 2008, the neat thing about committing to environmental sustainability is that you don’t have to make extreme changes to make a difference. You don’t have to install hemp carpet in the office or replace your roof with solar panels.

If we all make small incremental changes, the difference will be exponential. It’s a lot easier to get a lot of people to make small changes than to rely on a few people to carry the entire load.

What small, incremental changes can you pledge to make this year? Here are a few ideas.

• Switch from virgin to recycled paper for your marketing and office needs
• If you are already buying recycled paper, increase your postconsumer waste content
• Buy renewable energy credits for your energy use
• Begin a recycling program in your home or office
• If you already have a recycling program, begin a composting program
• Give priority to environmental friendly businesses in your vendor relationships
• In your marketing, switch from mass mailings to smaller, more targeted and personalized mailings
• Measure your carbon footprint
• Replace outdated, energy-hogging printers and other office equipment with new, more energy-efficient models
• Make simple changes in your personal life like those written about by John Ivanko here on The Inspired Economist.
• Read through the posts of The Inspired Economist, Ecopreneurist, and related sites until you find something that strikes you — then commit to it.

The point is to pick something and do it. Don’t just make a resolution. (You know, one of those “I’ll go to the gym five days a week” resolutions that only lasts until the end of January). Make a commitment. Pick something that you can commit to — something that is sustainable throughout the year.

Like this post? See all my “Greening Print Marketing” posts.