Your choices and behaviours affect the environment and can have a significant impact on its health and well-being. Earth Day, April 22, is a great time to be mindful of what you’re doing to take care of the environment, whether you’re participating in one of the many Earth Day events or simply making changes in your daily life to reduce waste and energy consumption. Here are some top 5 ways to celebrate Earth Day, no matter where you live around the world.
1) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce your energy use, waste production and overall impact on the environment by finding ways to reuse items you already have. Also, be conscious of what goes into landfills; recycle as much trash as possible. Finally, buy recycled products from eco-friendly stores or opt for upcycled options made from reused materials whenever possible. The less new materials you need to consume, transport and dispose of, the better it is for everyone—and Mother Nature appreciates it!
2) Buy recycled paper
Buying recycled paper for your office is a good way to get involved with sustainability. There are several brands of paper that carry a symbol indicating they’re made from recycled material. If you can buy these papers, it’s an easy way to celebrate Earth Day without any fuss or extra work on your part. You don’t have to think twice about whether you’re helping out when you choose recycled paper products—it takes care of itself.
3) Go meatless one day a week
The average American consumes more than 200 pounds of meat a year, which is way more than necessary—and with good reason. The health benefits of eating less meat are clear: it’s better for your heart, your waistline and your planet. Plus, going vegetarian one day a week can significantly cut down on energy usage and emissions. A study published in Science Daily showed that if Americans reduced their red meat consumption by just 20 percent, greenhouse gas emissions would be cut by 15 percent.
4) Buy used goods
Buying used items can be a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, since manufacturing new products produces CO2 emissions. Consider shopping secondhand when buying home appliances, furniture, clothes, and more.
Buying used goods isn’t just good for your budget—it’s also good for Mother Nature. New products require energy and resources to be produced, and that generates a lot of CO2 emissions. So when you buy secondhand, you help reduce your carbon footprint!
5) Switch your light bulbs for LED lights
You’ve likely heard of LED lights by now. If you haven’t, they’re durable and last longer than traditional bulbs. Though they tend to be a bit more expensive, it’s worth it considering you won’t have to replace them nearly as often. LED lights also use 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs, so they can help save on your monthly utility bill.
Final Words
Whether you’re an environmentalist or not, there’s no denying that Earth Day is a great opportunity to start living a greener life. From taking shorter showers and being more energy efficient in your day-to-day routine, to recycling aluminum cans and helping plants grow with composting, there are plenty of ways you can help your local environment while also saving time and money.
This year, instead of just buying a bunch of flowers for your significant other on April 22nd, consider picking up some seeds and starting your own garden! Happy Earth Day!
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