Earth Day Celebrations at Home
Happy Earth Day! This year’s Earth Day marks the 50th anniversary of the holiday that started in 1970. In order to continue on the celebration, EarthDay.org is hosting digital earth day celebrations. Even though we should be celebrating the earth every day, Strellis and Field wanted to share some ways on how to be more green and celebrate Earth Day while staying safe and healthy at home!
Reuse. Try to use reusable water bottles, Tupperware and bags instead of plastic items. This will limit the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills. Some packaging containers can be repurposed and reused as Tupperware. Just make sure to clean and disinfect the items properly! Additionally, quarantine is the perfect time to go through your closet and see what clothing can be repurposed and upcycled instead of buying new clothing. There are a plethora of videos online that give tutorials on how to restyle and improve old pieces of clothing. Many people do not know this, but according to Forbes, 10% of the world’s carbon emissions are a result of fashion production. This percentage is larger than the combination of carbon emissions from international flights and maritime shipping, which are two industries that are known for their high carbon emissions.
Recycle. Recycling is an easy way to be green from home. The things that can be recycled instead of thrown out include paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, rigid plastic and metal containers such as aluminum, tin, and steel. It is important to check your local area to see what can be recycled and what can not in order to avoid recycling contamination. Also, remember to rinse out your recyclables before tossing them in the recycling bin!
Plant. Another fun activity to do at home to pass the time and celebrate Earth Day is to plant some flowers or plants. You can either plant them outside or inside in pots. Now that it is spring, it is a perfect time to try to start a vegetable or flower garden!
Go for a walk. It can be hard to get exercise right now, but it is good for you and the earth! If you can get outside for a walk or bike ride make sure to keep your social distance from others. Also, taking a bike ride or walk instead of a short car trip can reduce your carbon footprint.
Unplug. Even though many of us have been catching up on TV shows and movies, it uses a lot of energy to keep all of our electronics plugged in and charged. Try to play a board or card game in between episodes to try to reduce the amount of energy used. Do not forget to turn off the lights in rooms you are not in and to unplug your chargers and electronics when you are not using them.
Save water. We have all been washing our hands a lot, so make sure to turn the faucet off when you are not actively using the water. It is also helpful to take shorter showers instead of long showers and baths. Try to be strategic and mindful about your water use. For example, if you are about to pour water down the drain, you can instead use it to water your newly planted plants!
Hopefully, some of these ideas can help you and your family celebrate Earth day in a safe and healthy manner! We at Strellis and Field wish everyone a happy and healthy Earth Day! If you would like to learn more about our firm or would like to contact us, click here.
