4 New Year's resolutions to help you go green in 2016

New Year's resolutions are all about turning over a new leaf so how about going greener in 2016?

Environmentalists like Rick Bates, with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, sayit's easy to make a big impact, even ifyou start small.

"Best place to start is right around home," said Bates. Here are his tips for greening your New Year's resolutions.

Be an energy star

Bates recommends getting intoappliances certified as energy-efficient with theEnergy Star rating.

Turning off the lights a bit more,idling the car a bit less and jumping on public transit instead of driving can also help.

Green your garden

Bates says reducing the use of fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides goes a long way in preventing contamination of local water.

"[Otherwise], with the first good rain, [fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides go]into the sewer system and to the nearest stream, lake or river," said Bates.

Bates also recommends planting things that attract wildlife.

Take a nature hike

The hardest part of any resolution is making it stick. Bates says the key is to keep itfunand do things you enjoy.

He recommends going out for hike, cross-country skiing, canoeing and taking photographs of nature to keep youon track.

"That's what helps a person take on the bigger task and stay motivated allyear long," he said.

Zero in on plastics

Bates says simple choices made at the store can make a big difference. He recommends staying away from products that contain microbeads.

Microbeadsare little bits of plastic found in some facial scrubs, toothpastes and other personal care products thatscientists say wash down the drain and are eaten by fish.

"That's an easy thing to watch for, products have logos that say 'zero plasticinside,'" said Bates.

"It's a simple choice that a person can make that sends a signalto the industry, that these are the kinds of products we want, these are the kind of policies we want."

To hear the full interview click on the audio labelled4 New Year's resolutions to help you go green in 2016 on the CBC's The Early Edition.