Every new year arrives with a familiar promise: this year will be different. We set goals with the best intentions—to live more sustainably, waste less, and make better choices for ourselves and the planet.

And yet, by the time January settles into February, many of those habits quietly fall away.

The problem isn’t that we don’t care. It’s that most sustainability advice asks us to change everything at once. That’s not realistic, and that’s not how habits actually form.

The sustainable habits that stick are the ones that fit into daily routines without constant effort, feel rewarding, not restrictive, and improve our quality of life as well as the planet. So instead of chasing perfection in 2026, let’s focus on progress that lasts. Here are five sustainable habits focused on hydration and mindful living that you can actually maintain all year round.

1. Break Up with the Convenience of Bottled Water

If there is one habit that defines reducing plastic waste in Australia, it is finally walking away from single-use plastic water bottles. We often buy them out of a perceived need for convenience, but when you look at the data, the cost—both to your wallet and the environment—is staggering.

According to CSIRO’s research, Australians continue to generate millions of tonnes of plastic waste annually, with single-use beverage containers remaining a significant contributor to landfill and litter.

The Habit that Sticks: Instead of trying to remember to buy “better” water, change the source. By using an Ultra Water Filter Bottle, you take the guesswork out of hydration. Whether you are at the office, the gym, or the local park, you can refill from any tap with the confidence that you are drinking pure, filtered water. It turns a chore (buying water) into a seamless, automated part of your day.

2. Elevate Your Kitchen Workflow with High-Capacity Filtration

Sustainability in the kitchen is often associated with complicated composting systems or giving up your favourite treats. However, one of the most effective eco-friendly lifestyle habits is simply improving the efficiency of how you use water at home.

Many people rely on small filter jugs that require constant refilling. This leads to "refill fatigue," where we eventually give up and go back to the tap—or worse, back to plastic multipacks.

The Habit that Sticks: Upgrade to a 9L Glass Benchtop Water Filter. Having a large, beautiful reservoir of filtered water on display does two things: it serves as a visual reminder to stay hydrated, and it provides enough volume for more than just a quick glass of water.

When you have nine litres of pure water ready to go, you start using it for cooking, filling the kettle, and even watering your indoor plants. It becomes a "hydration station" rather than a kitchen appliance. Because it is made of glass, it is a permanent, beautiful fixture that eliminates the need for plastic entirely.

3. Practice "Source-to-Table" Cooking

We often talk about farm-to-table, but what about the water you use to boil your pasta or wash your vegetables? If you are taking the time to buy organic produce from a local Australian farmers' market, it makes sense to ensure the water you prepare it with is of the same high standard.

Sustainable living in Australia involves being mindful of the chemicals used in our water treatment processes. While tap water is safe, it often contains chlorine and heavy metals used to transport it through kilometres of aging pipes.

The Habit that Sticks: Make it a rule to only use filtered water for anything that ends up in your body. Use the pure water from your 9L Glass Benchtop Water Filter, or for higher capacity, straight from the tap source, install an Under Sink Water Filter System or even a Water Ionizer for your morning coffee, your evening soups, and even your ice cubes. It is a small, low-effort shift that significantly reduces your chemical intake and improves the flavour of your food, making the habit naturally rewarding.

4. Master the Art of the "Outdoor Refill"

For many Australians, the weekend is for exploring—whether it is a coastal walk, a hike through the bush, or a camping trip. This is usually when our sustainability goals take a backseat because we aren't sure about the water quality in remote areas.

In fact, Clean Up Australia’s Litter Report suggests that a large portion of litter in regional areas consists of "on-the-go" food and drink packaging.

The Habit that Sticks: Carry an Ultra Water Filter Bottle as your permanent travel companion. These bottles are designed with filters that remove the nasties from urban and freshwater sources, giving you the freedom to adventure without carrying a heavy crate of plastic bottles. It is about being "adventure-ready" at all times. By making this bottle your default "go-to," you contribute to reducing plastic waste in Australia even when you are far from home.

5. Share the "Pure Water" Knowledge

The most sustainable habit of all is community. When you find a system that works—one that saves you money, improves your health, and helps the planet—the best thing you can do is share it. Sustainability shouldn't be a secret club; it should be the new standard for every Australian household.

The Habit that Sticks: Instead of offering guests a glass of tap water or a plastic bottle, show off your 3.5L Glass Carafe Water Filter or even your 2.4L Water Filter Jug. When people taste the difference, they usually have questions. By simply existing as a household that prioritises clean, plastic-free hydration, you influence your friends and family to consider their own habits.

Why These Habits Actually Work in 2026

The reason these five habits stick is that they don't ask you to sacrifice quality. In fact, they offer an upgrade. Filtered, mineral-rich water tastes better than tap water and is significantly cheaper and more convenient than bottled water.

In a country as vast and beautiful as Australia, we have every reason to protect our environment. Whether you are living in a city apartment in Melbourne or a house in the suburbs of Perth, the shift towards sustainable living in Australia starts with the basics.

By investing in high-quality water filters like Earths Water for your home, you aren't just buying products; you are installing a system that supports your new, greener lifestyle.

Consistency over Perfection

This year, remember that the goal of eco-friendly lifestyle habits isn't to be perfectly sustainable overnight. It is about making better choices more often. If you forget your bottle once, don't throw in the towel. Just get back to it the next day.

Every plastic bottle you don't buy is a victory. Every litre of chlorine-free water you cook with is a win for your health. Reducing plastic waste in Australia is a collective effort, and it starts with the simple, daily rituals we perform in our own homes.

Here is to a healthy, hydrated, and sustainable 2026. Let's make this the year that our green habits finally become second nature.