How You Can Contribute to Earth Day

April 5, 2010

Written by Traci

How You Can Contribute to Earth Day

Earth Day debuted in 1970.  I find it amazing that we have been celebrating and working towards taking better care of our planet since 1970!  It seems to me that some of the eco-friendly practices, such as recycling, recently became mainstream, or at least not 40 years ago.

April 22nd is the official birthday of Earth Day, but I think it’s worth celebrating every day.

Here are some things you can do to contribute to a better planet for tomorrow.

• Volunteer for an event in your area such as helping plant trees.
• Make sure you have recycling pick up at home.
• Set up recycling in your home.

I did this in mine and it was actually a fun, creative experience.  Get a small trash can for the following:

• Paper (include a separate one for home offices or bedrooms)
• Glass, cans, and plastic bottles (Number 1 or 2 in the small triangle usually located on the bottom of the packaging)
• Batteries & Ink Cartridges
• Other plastics – Numbers 3-7

Then create a label to tape to the trash can denoting what each trash can is for.  There’s lots of fun clip art to add too.  I created mine in a simple Word document and printed on a regular piece of paper.

Most trash service providers also provide a recycling option.  Where I live they only pick up paper (this includes cardboard boxes), glass, cans and plastic bottles (Nos. 1 and 2).  If you’re really ambitious like me, find out where you can recycle other plastics (Nos. 3-7) on Earth911 and drop them off.   Ink cartridges can be recycled at some Walgreens or Office Depot.

1. Turn your air conditioning down 2 degrees
2. Make a conscious effort to keep lights off when you’re not in the room
3. Reuse take out containers instead of buying new tupperware
4. Turn the water off when you brush your teeth
5. Ride your bicycle
6. Carpool to work
7. Buy organic
8. Clean out your toxic cleaners for non-toxic ones.  I like Seventh Generation.
9. These are just a few things you can do everyday that make a huge impact.
10. In closing, Earth Day’s Anthem……
11. Joyful joyful we adore our Earth in all its wonderment
12. Simple gifts of nature that all join into a paradise
13. Now we must absolve to protect her
14. Show her our love through out all time
15. With our gentle hand and touch
16. We make our home a newborn world
17. Now we must absolve to protect her
18. Show her our love through out all time
19. With our gentle hand and touch
20. We make our home a newborn world

Learn more about the history of Earth Day.