Looking for something to do on Earth Day? We have ideas, 54 of them to be exact, to mark this 54th anniversary year. Whether you hug a tree or ride a bike to work, we hope you enjoy (and appreciate) the wonderful things that our big blue marble provides!
Things to do Outside
1. Pick up litter in your neighborhood.
2. Explore local parks.
3. Pick up your pet’s waste. Whether you take your dog on a daily walk or let them handle their business in the back yard, picking up pet waste is important.
4. #ChalkYourWalk. Use chalk to leave inspirational and Earth Day messages along sidewalks for neighbors to find.
5. Just “be” outside. Stop to smell the roses and appreciate nature.
6. Try plogging (picking up litter while you jog). It’s a thing—and it’s fun.
Start Smart, Recycle Right
7. Commit to recycling right. Learn what is accepted in your locality and make a firm commitment to only place the correct items in the recycling bin.
8. Collect your plastic bags and wraps and take them back to the grocery store for recycling.
9. Collect your e-waste for recycling (old computers, laptops, TVs, game systems). Check with your locality for local e-cycling collection schedules.
10. Practice “precycling” by purchasing products in low-waste or recyclable packaging.
Reduce Waste
11. Choose to reuse. Try reusable straws, cups, to-go containers and utensils to decrease dependence on single-use plastics.
12. Declutter your home and set aside the good stuff for donation.
13. Shop at local thrift and consignment stores; it saves on the resources required to generate new products, and who doesn’t love a cool bargain!
14. Ditch the paper towels. Try using cloth napkins or Skoy Cloths instead.
15. Give cloth diapering a try! This will help save money and keep disposable diapers out of the landfill. Remember, disposable diaper liners are not flushable!
16. BYOB – bring your own bags. Remember to say “no” to plastic bags at the grocery store and bring your own reusable bag.
17. Opt out of receiving phone books and junk mail. Find out how to do it here.
18. Switch to paperless billing.
19. Switch to E-books. Ditch the paper books for an eco-friendly alternative.
20. Print double-sided to save paper. You’ll be saving trees and water, the natural resources used to make paper.
Lawn and Garden
21. Start a garden.
22. Test your soil to make sure you aren’t overdoing it with fertilizer.
23. Plant a tree, which provides shade and helps absorb water that would otherwise runoff into storm drains.
24. Choose organic. Organic farming is better for the environment because it reduces pollution, saves water and is better for the soil.
25. Make a bird feeder out of a reusable milk or juice carton for your yard. Find out how here.
26. Reserve a quiet corner of your yard and let nature do its thing (the birds will love it).
27. Create backyard habitat by planting Virginia native plants in your landscaping.
Be Water Wise
28. Know what not to flush! So-called “flushable” wipes are at the top of this list, along with cat litter, cigarette butts, cotton swabs, diapers/diaper liners, dryer sheets, facial tissues, family planning products, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, toilet bowl scrubbing pads, fats/oils/grease/food scraps from the kitchen, and dental floss. (Whew!)
29. Fix a leak! According to the EPA, an average household leak can waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water every year.
30. Take shorter showers. Reduce you water usage by opting for a five-minute shower.
31. Choose tap over bottled water. Tap water is affordable and healthy!
Kitchen and Foodie Ideas
32. Compost your leftover food scraps. Check out composting for beginners here.
33. Ditch using the garbage disposal. Food down your drain can wreak havoc on your pipes and lead to sewage overflows. Put food scraps in the trash or try composting instead.
34. Use earth-friendly cleaning products. You’ll be surprised by how much you can accomplish with vinegar or baking soda.
35. Buy local. Check out a local farm or farmer’s market this Earth Day to support local business while reducing your carbon footprint.
36. Buy sustainable. Choose sustainable, eco-friendly products when you can like looking for products made from recycled content.
37. Go meatless! Check out the environmental benefits of going meatless at least one day a week here.
Conserve energy
38. Try biking or walking instead of driving.
39. Save some energy by unplugging from technology.
40. Line-dry your clothes.
41. Give LED lights a try. They are more energy efficient and last longer than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs.
42. Turn off lights and electronics when you leave a room.
43. Only run your washer and dishwasher when they are full.
44. When you have the option, choose the stairs instead of the elevator to save energy (and get some exercise!)
45. Turn down your water heater. Save energy and money! For every 10ºF reduction in temperature, you can save from 3%–5% on your water heating costs.
46. Let in the fresh air. Turn off the AC and open the windows when the weather allows.
Learn and engage with your community!
47. Promote your home sustainability by joining an eco-friendly home program. Check out Bay Star Homes, Lake Star Homes, Pearl Homes, River Heroes, and River Star Homes.
48. Telework is still going strong! Working from home reduces carbon emissions by keeping vehicles off the road.
49. Try a book from this Earth Day reading list.
50. Participate in a local environmental organization. Check out the Elizabeth River Project, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Lynnhaven River NOW, James River Association, or your favorite local environmental group.
51. Calculate your carbon footprint here. Many of our daily activities have a large impact on our carbon footprint.
52. Consider supporting an environmental nonprofit organization by donating or pledging to volunteer.
53. Sign up for the askHRgreen.org newsletter and keep up with what’s good to know and good to do to be green in Hampton Roads.
54. Spread the word. Hop on your social media platforms to spread the word about Earth Day! Tag @askHRgreen to let us know how you’re celebrating this year.