13 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

How are you celebrating Earth Day...Inside or out?

Today I'm inside because it's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring...

But that's okay because April showers bring May flowers...

AND it is also giving me time to reflect on how much DH and I try to appreciate Mother Earth year round here at the Love Shack.  Every year we try to establish new habits that are beneficial to the environment as well as to our health.  So far we have managed to maintain quite a few habits and it really has not been hard to change our ways.

Here are 13 ways to celebrate Earth Day everyday:

1.  Switch to non-toxic cleaning and laundry products.  Make the switch, like I did, and you will find that not only will you be saving money but you will also be saving the land-fills form all the product bottle waste that comes with traditional, toxic products. 

 

2.  Conserve water whenever possible...don't take having running water for granted.  Try using rain-water barrels to water your gardens or simply by filling your kitchen sink once or twice a day.  I try to do this whenever I’m hand-washing my pots and pans (not good to put most of them in the dishwasher ;)  As I’m waiting for the water to get warm, I rinse off the dishes that are going to go into the dishwasher.  Then once it starts to get warm I plugged up the sink and add some dish soap and wash.  At this point I TURN DOWN the water stream so that the sink doesn’t overflow while I wash/rinse the clean pots n’pans.  Then I let the water remain in the sink for the rest of the morning or afternoon.

 

3.  Buy local and organic foods whenever possible and be aware of what items are in season so that you are getting the highest, possible nutrition out of them.  Items that come from other states, and countries, more than likely have been picked up to 6-weeks previously and left to ripen while in transit…yuck!  There are loads of recipes on-line (like this one ;) that you can try using ingredients that are fresh and un-processed.

 

4.  Recycle all the items that you can: newspapers, magazines, glass, metal and plastics. 

For those items that you cannot process through your communities services then check out TerraCycle’s Brigades®.  It’s a national program that collects previously non-recyclable or hard to recycle waste.  While some programs have a cost, most of the Brigades® offer free shipping as well as a donation for each piece of garbage that you collect.  Here's a short video about TerraCycle in case you've been off the grid and haven't heard about this wonderful company ;)

5.  Up-cycle those jars and cans into wonderful gift jars and storage jars.  Stop buying gift boxes and bags that are just going to go right into the trash!  Recycle your jars and personalize them with paints for clever storage like the Boo-Hoo Boo-Boo Bear jars (first aide kits in a jar ;) in the above photo.  Or paint left-over snack containers with chalk-board paints so that they will be re-used by the person that you are giving the gift to.

6.  Stop buying water in plastic bottles!!! Last night DH and watched National Geographic's special, The 12,000 Bottle Boat.  Talk about eye-opening show about all the plastic bottles we use in a single day...just in the United States.  It aires again, next Thursday, April 28th so be sure to watch it if you can.  In the meantime, find a natural spring near your home and get the best water ever.  If you don’t want to do that, then at least make the small investment in a water filtering system for your home or for your drinking water.

 

7.  Switch all your light bulbs from incandescent to compact fluorescent lamps(CFL) which use less power and last much longer than traditional (incandescent) bulbs.  The upfront costs are greater but the net effect pays for itself.  Just be sure handle them and dispose of them properly because they contain mercury which is highly toxic to you and the environment.  Most warehouse stores such as Lowes and Home Depot now offer recycle bins in their stores for proper disposal.  AND shut off any lights that you are not using.  DH has a bad habit of leaving the porch lights on all day…bad habits are made to be broken.

 

8.  Grow something green inside your home as well.  Plants clean the air naturally and provide you with a wonderful atmosphere on those gloomy, dismal days when you can’t get outdoors.  See this article for some of the best plant varieties to choose, and remember that the healthier the plant, the more purifying it will be.

9.  Pick up litter when you see it…regardless of who placed it there.  In our part of our development we have maintenance who actually go around and pick up all the debris...they even mow our grass...yeah!  However, this doesn't stop us from picking up trash anytime we see it and we don't take anything for granted.  Something to think about next time you see a piece of trash:

Litter can harm the environment in a number of different ways. It is a breeding ground for disease-causing insects and rodents. Its "ugliness" damages the appearance of scenic environments. Open containers such as paper cups or beverage cans can hold rainwater, providing breeding locations for mosquitoes which have been known to spread diseases such as West Nile Virus and Malaria. Uncollected litter can attract more, flowing into streams, and storm water drainage systems, local bays and estuaries. About 18% of litter, usually traveling through storm water systems, ends up in local streams, rivers, and waterways. About 80% of marine debris comes from land-based sources. Animals may get trapped or poisoned with litter in their habitats. Cigarette butts and filters are a threat to wildlife and have been found in the stomachs of fish, birds and whales, who have mistaken them for food. Debris falling from vehicles is an increasing cause of automobile accidents. Cleaning up litter in the U.S. costs hundreds of dollars per ton, about ten times more than the cost of trash disposal, for a cost totaling about $11 billion per year.

Thanks to Wikipedia for this...It often takes a long time before litter from the environment disappears. List of how long litter affects the environment:

• Paper and paperboard: 6 months,
• Cigarette butts: 2–5 years,
• Plastic (PET) Soda Bottles: 5–10 years,
• Plastic shopping bags: 10–30 years,
• Gum: 20–25 years,
• Polystyrene chip wrapping: 90 years,
• Tin Can: 80–100 years,
• Aluminum Can: 200–400 years,
• Six pack bottle wrapping: 450 years,
• Golf ball: 100–1000 years.

10. Stop accepting plastic bags from vendors…bring your own.  Either buy them, make them or win them (here for free;)…it’s just another one of those habits that you have to make.  I've learned that I have to keep them in my purse or at least in the front seat of my car at all times so that I will use them.  When I go grocery shopping, I have a pile of re-usable bags in my trunk and I simply pop the truck and grab the bags before I go in the store.  Now If I could just get the rest of my family to do the same ;) 

11. Find other renewable sources for the things that you use everyday…like replacing plastic straws with glass straws (don’t even get me going on coffee stirrers...it's called a spoon :]

There are many companies out there like, Hip Mountain Mama, Pure Citizen and TerraCycle that offer an huge, affordable assortment of items.  Most of which are either, organic, recycled/up-cycled, sustainable and/or fair trade...AND they are beautiful as well. 

12. Invest in rechargeable batteries…seriously…they are so worth it.  They make a great gift for friends and family...especially for those hard to bye for ;) AND be sure to recycle all your batteries…do not just toss them into your garbage to go into the landfills where they are toxic.  Again, most big warehouse and office product stores offer recycle bins for the many different types of batteries...especially lithium which is highly toxic for the environment.

 

13.  Last but not least...just stop shopping!  We live in a society of consumerism and we all have been exposed to the mass marketing messages that tell us our self-worth is only as good as the newest, the biggest, the brightest and the best new product out there right now.  These past two years as we moved and downsized {twice}, we have learned that bigger is not better and that the bigger your space the more you try to fill it ;}  No more...I've learned that our lifestyle has changed and that I tend to wear the same articles of clothing and shoes over and over.  AND that I no longer care to change out my purse with every outfit. Enough with all the STUFF!!!

However, when you do shop, then just be aware of the products and the companies that you are buying from so that you make a little of a negative impact on the environment as possible.

Hope this helps and that you all have a wonderful Earth Day.

Fondly, Roberta

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Comments

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[Cortney Lyon]

That's a good list. I just found out that our local store is having a sale on their re-usable bags, buy 1 get 1 free so the next time I go I'm going to make the purchase. The kids at school have really done a great job of recycling our bottles and cans and I've gotten the parents to start recycling too as an activity for their kids at home.

[Denyse@Crazy Beautiful Life]

I always have good intentions in taking my bags to the store than I have to buy more because I forget them...makes me crazy!!! I only clean with vinegar, baking soda and water...And, I drink water out of our fridge!! How am I doing so far??

[Jen]

Definitely all great tips! We had a lovely Earth Day with lots of local activities and free museum passes! Of course, it was bright and sunny here in TX! Happy Easter!

[Carola Bartz]

This is a great post, Roberta. When we moved here from Germany 10 years ago we were shocked about the HUGE amount of wastefulness in this country. It's great to see that it is changing, though very very slowly. I remember my feelings when I first saw someone tossing trash out of his car onto the street - I was simply speechless and then I felt an incredible rage. Both still happen (the trash tossing and my rage). I'm not an angel myself, but I do try to do my part, and I know that there is lots of room for improvement.
BTW, I like your "auto-graph books" that you told me about. Wonderful idea.

[Jennifer]

Great post... such simple things if we only take the time to do them! We do a lot of these things too. Thanks for sharing all of this wonderful information! :)

[Donnie]

All great ideas. Happy Earth Day to you guys.

[con-tain-it]

Thanks Anita! Really appreciate you stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment. Im amazed that these batteries work so well...especially in things like my camera...regular ones use to get eaten up when Id use the flash but not these re-chargable ones. Its a good thang ;)I just stopped by and visited your blog and have added it to my google reader so tha I can keep up with all your sewing projects and baking. Have a wonderful Easter weekend. Fondly, Roberta

[Cindy]

We do most of these things already, but the one I liked the best was plants as air purifiers! And thanks for including all the links! I am so with you on all the clutter and not having a purse for every outfit!

Blessings on your Easter weekend!

[sonyamacdesigns]

Thanks for this all in one place list ... I love #13 the best!

[Diana]

Oh my gosh, so much in one little post. I do have reusable bags and we have 3 hybrid vehicles. Don't drink bottled water. I need to start purchasing the green products next. I am so with you on all this! Thanks for sharing.

[Anita]

Very thought provoking post...thank you.

We have the Eneloop batteries and they are great. =)

Stopping by from StudioJRU's Sneak Peek!

Have a great weekend.