5 Ways To Keep Environmentally Friendly This Earth Day
Happy Earth Day babes! Today we highlight the importance of being environmentally friendly and the impact we have on the earth. It’s a time to show some love for our earth and take action toward keeping our planet clean all year round. According to DoSomething.org, pollution is one of the biggest global killers, affecting over 100 million people. Simple things like a beach cleanup can save animals’ lives and discourage people from littering in the future.
Striving for a better earth can be simple and just one change in your daily routine can have an impact on the environment. Below, we've listed 5 ways you can contribute to the planet this Earth Day.
1. Let's Get Planting
Show some extra love for the Earth by planting a tree. Trees improve our air quality and provide oxygen. Celebrating Earth Day by planting a tree can be a fun activity to do with your friends/family and is an easy way to help benefit the environment.
2. Use Sustainable Products When Possible
Plastic pollution has become a major issue affecting our environment. Not all plastic is recyclable, according to a 2017 study at the University of California, 91% of the plastic we use isn't recycled and ends up in the ocean. Products we use daily like, straws, plastic bags, and coffee cups are not recyclable. In fact, many vendors and business owners are reducing the use of plastic by providing consumers with paper straws or strawless cups. In your personal life, you can decrease the use of plastic by using reusable bottles or mugs for your water and coffee, and reusable bags for when you go grocery shopping.
3. Recycle More
The simple act of tossing your plastic bottle into a recycling bin rather than the trash can have a significant impact. According to DoSomething.org, recycling and composting prevented 85 million tons of material from being disposed of in 2010. It’s important to note that products with the recyclable symbol are not all, in fact, recyclable. Products with the #7 within the symbol are classified into the “other” group and should be tossed in the trash as "there is no way of knowing for certain whether it's recyclable or non-recyclable" says Lillygol Sedaghat from National Geographic.
4. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Carbon Footprint, as defined, is the amount of carbon dioxide/other carbon compounds released as a result of the consumption of fossil fuels by people. A major contribution to our carbon footprint is driving. There is no way to fully avoid driving because let’s face it, we need to get to work on time..but there are alternative options to reduce the number of hours we drive. For example, carpooling once a week to work or when possible is a great way to contribute to reducing our carbon footprint. Walking or riding your bike (when you can) helps avoid carbon emissions and is a good excuse to get outside. Lastly, let's not forget the use of public transportation, this is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and we love the idea of using the metro or subway to save on gas $$$.
5. Volunteer For A Beach Cleanup
A great way to get involved in the community in celebration of Earth Day is by participating in a beach cleanup. As we previously mentioned, a lot of what we throw away ends up polluting our oceans resulting in over 1 million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals being killed each year (via DoSomething.org).
If you're interested in getting involved in a beach cleanup near you, click here