As 2023 rapidly approaches, there is no better time to commit to a sustainable New Year’s Resolution. Simple recurring actions can go a long way in making a helping to protect our oceans, land, and animals. 

Get your Coffee in a Reusable Mug or Edible Cup 

Did you know Australians use almost 2 billion disposable cups and 1.5 billion coffee lids every year? Almost all these cups end up in landfill after being used just once. The simple step of bringing a reusable cup or mug each day can drastically cut back on this number.
You can also keep an eye out for Good-Edi at your local cafe, the edible coffee cup made from oats and grains. This tasty cup was supported by Taronga’s HATCH program and are found in a growing number of cafes across Australia.

Use a Reusable Water Bottle

Few products pay for themselves faster than a reusable water bottle. Filling up a reusable bottle will help you stay hydrated at a lower cost than single-use plastic bottles. Plastic bottles take at least 450 years to break down and require 3-7 litres of water and 1 litre of oil to produce a 1 litre water bottle. Choosing to reuse will not just save you money but will also save our environment from unnecessary plastic waste. 

Opt for Sustainable Seafood

Almost 90% of the world’s fish stocks are depleted, overexploited, or fished up to their limit. However, it’s possible to enjoy a great meal and help protect our oceans at the same time.
By choosing seafood certified as sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council, your supporting fisheries doing the right thing and helping ensure an ocean-friendly future.
Learn more about the MSC Blue Fish Tick.

Recycle your Old Phone for Gorillas

They’re Calling on You - All four subspecies of gorilla are now critically endangered. Mining for conflict minerals, especially coltan – a mineral found in mobile phones- is accelerating the loss of mountain gorillas at an alarmingly fast rate. By donating your old phones, chargers, and accessories, you can reduce the demand for new metals and raise vital funds for gorilla conservation. 

Take a moment to look through your drawers or cupboards for any old phones or accessories that you aren’t using and bring them with you on your next zoo visit or to another dropoff location. You can get learn more about Taronga’s mobile phone recycling program.

Raise your Palm for Tigers

Sumatran Tigers are critically endangered due to habitat loss, driven primarily by unsustainable palm oil. This year, choose 100% Sustainable Palm Oil to protect rainforests and the animals that live in them. 

You can start by conducting an audit of products in your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry. If you find a product that contains unsustainable palm oil, consider alternative brands or products you could select instead. You can also consider contacting companies to ask them to choose 100% Sustainable Palm Oil. Through the Tiger Trek, major brands have been contacted by our guests over 150 thousand times. 

Get Creative!

There are many great resources online for making sustainable changes in your life, but don’t be afraid to come up with your own solutions! 

If you have a sustainable innovation that you want to take to the next level, Taronga’s HATCH accelerator program is here to make that happen, providing up to $50,000 funding to the winning participants.