Give these eco-projects a try for your New Year’s resolution. What resolutions do you have? Let us know in the comments.

New Year’s Eve is celebrated around the world with a new year bringing a new chance for all. The tradition is that everyone should make a new year’s resolution to change something in your life.

The most popular New Year’s resolutions pertain to lifestyle choices. According to a ComRes poll, the most popular resolutions are to exercise more, lose weight, eat more healthily, take a more active approach to health and to learn a new skill.

Here are four projects you can do yourself to contribute in the year of 2019.

Plant some trees

Trees offer a substantial benefit to the environment as well as humans. Trees are one of the primary oxygen producers in our ecosystems. Trees are also a great help in preventing ground erosion as their roots hold the ground together. Another personal benefit of trees is that they help to catch pollen, dust and smoke and prevent them from coming into the house. So plant a tree this year and leave a legacy for our children to enjoy.

Make eco-bricks

Plastic waste is accumulating all over and not all plastic is recyclable. An altenative to simply throwing away this plastic waste is to create an eco-brick. Eco-bricks are building materials made from plastic two-litre bottles filled with plastic. They are easy to make, just take your waste plastic and compress it down into the bottle. You’ll know the brick is ready when the bottle compresses less that 10 per centof what an empty bottle compresses. A quick search on Google for eco-bricks will give you the closest drop-off point for projects using them for construction.

Build an owl box

Owls are a sustainable and eco-friendly way to manage pests around your house. Instead of using pesticides a family of owls can keep your garden free of rats and other pests. Building your own owl box will provide a place for your new feathered friends to raise their chicks. For a guide on building your own owl box go to https://www.birdlife.org.za/get-involved/owl-boxes

Make your own compost heap

Making a compost heap not only reduces the amount of waste you dump, but can do wonders for your garden. For your compost heap to work you’ll need four things. Carbon is the first ingredient and this can come from brown leaves, straw, wood or paper and cardboard. The second ingredient is nitrogen which can come from any green leaves, grass or vegetable kitchen waste. Water is the third component which you can help with by watering the heap whenever you add a layer. The last ingredient is oxygen which you can add by turning over your heap with a pitchfork regularly.