In the spirit of investigating whether New Year’s resolutions can be sustainable, specifically green New Year’s resolutions, here are the YDT Team’s reflections: what we set out to do last year and how we fared.

Below you’ll find our 09 green goals and our 2010 ganders at which were most successful and why.

Tracy, Co-Founder:

To bike, bus, and walk more within a four to five mile round trip of her home.

To educate herself on composting, apartment style.

To limit impulse purchases.

To commit to self education on ways to decrease her carbon foot print and live a more simple lifestyle.

To use chemical-free/organic/and TRULY natural ingredients in all of her beauty products.

What (mostly) worked: Got a bike, rode the bus, definitely walked but need to increase using the bus for journeys to the Westside (from Hollywood) and rely less on the car overall.  I am biking much more frequently and overall driving around 50% less from 2009 (began telecommuting which helped a lot).

Why?: I was fortunate not to have to drive nearly as much for work in 09.  I also made a conscious effort to plan my car trips and schedule multiple events or meetings together so if I did have to drive to a certain part of town I could make the most of it.

What (mostly) worked: Got free of the majority of my skin care and beauty products that contained harmful chemicals.  I donated many leftover items to House of Ruth (an abused women’s shelter) in Boyle Heights that accepts partially used items.

Why?: I’ve only purchased new ones that score very low on the EWG Skin Deep Scale (I check there before I purchase any new product).  I have also begun making some of my own skin care concoctions and seeking out companies that use Fair Trade Ingredients as well.  I’m still using some of my old makeup from Smash Box and Stila, though as things run out I have been replacing them with brands like Jane Erdale, Lavera and Tarte.

Still on the list for 2010: a better composting system, more bussing and biking along with sticking to a meat-free diet (Monday through Friday).

Connie, Food and Fashion Contributor:

To avoid using disposable cups or silverware when possible.

To refuse unneeded paper or plastic bags when shopping.

To walk instead of drive because not only is it good for the environment, it’s good exercise-plus, it allows you to see your neighborhood from an entirely different perspective.

What (mostly) worked: To refuse unneeded paper or plastic bags when shopping.

Why? I usually just brought my own reusable bags, but sometimes I’d forget, and would still stubbornly refuse getting a disposable plastic bag from the store.  Often this would lead to a comical and sometimes ridiculous juggling act as I tried to carry my things back, but luckily most of my stuff made it home safe.

Danielle, Green Living Contributor:

To resurrect her vermicomposting bin from the heap of soil and other stuff on her patio.

To only buy clothing that is either sustainably made or from a bygone era (aka vintage/thrift).

To remember to bring along a trash bag on her weekly walk to the farmers’ market in which to deposit found trash and cigarette butts.

What (mostly) worked: I only bought thrifty or sustainable clothes with the exception of two pairs of pants I either couldn’t find secondhand or couldn’t afford elsewhere.

Why? I don’t really enjoy shopping, unless occasionally when there’s the thrill of the hunt, so secondhand stores are perfect for me and in L.A. the pickins are good! Plus, I got the word on two sample sales by eco-designers in 09 (like favorite perfectly imperfect ) so I found a few lovely, organic, local items for way, way less.

What (mostly) worked: Just under the wire, I resurrected my vermicomposting bin. I have hundreds of pets now and much less food waste!

Why? I moved to an apartment that doesn’t get too much sun. Before, I couldn’t find a shady enough spot for the worms to thrive and do their work—plus, yes, I was plain old neglectful. Also, my life has normalized (let’s hope!) compared to 2009 so I can be a much better caretaker to my squirming compost-makers this time around.

Images via Kendura99′s Flickr, sxc.hu(bike) and sxc.hu(worms).