Earth Day is right around the corner and if you want to start getting more involved in environmental protection efforts, there are several easy ways you can do your part to protect the Earth. When everyone makes small changes, eco-friendly attitudes catch on and the world slowly becomes a safer, healthier place.
Consider these eco-friendly ideas if you want to make an impact on Earth Day and beyond.
Reuse
Using fewer plastic bags during your shopping trips is one effective way that you, as a customer, can help protect the environment. Plenty of stores sell resilient, reusable shopping bags that can easily be folded up and stored in your car.
Additionally, if you use laundry services in Boston, ask about reusable laundry bags. Some designs allow you to use them as an all-in-one reusable laundry/duffel/garment bag. At home, the bag serves as a hamper. You can use it as a duffel bag to take your laundry to the cleaners, and at pick-up, it transforms into a side-zippered, breathable, water-repellent, hanging garment bag that protects your cleaned clothing.
Recycle
Recycling protects the environment by preventing the depletion of the earth’s limited resources. If you have unused medications, take them to your local pharmacy for safe, proper disposal. Return unused hangers to the dry cleaner you frequent.
If you do happen to receive groceries in plastic bags, return the empty bags to the depository that many supermarkets now have for bag recycling.
Use Clean Energy/Green Technology
Plenty of companies offer clean or green products you can use in lieu of those that damage the environment. For example, you might want to consider using propane or solar energy to cut down on your energy consumption when cooking, heating your home, and using appliances.
Green dish and laundry detergents also exist, and they’re just as effective as standard store-brand products. These items may be a little more expensive, but they don’t pollute groundwater.
Buy from Green Companies
When you make active choices to shop at green stores and subscribe to eco-friendly companies, you’re doing far more than making a move to protect the environment. You’re also influencing your friends and family to follow your example, and you’re incentivizing other businesses to adopt greener practices.
Try visiting eco-friendly dry cleaners, landscapers that practice environmentally-conscious work, and low-waste grocery stores.
Celebrate Earth Day with Your Family
Earth Day provides families with a reason to go outside and have fun, but the day also serves to present parents and children with teachable moments. On Earth Day, educate your children about the environment and give them easy tips and activities they can try out if they want to live a greener lifestyle.
If you have senior loved ones living with you (or you visit them frequently), encourage them to participate in a few low-impact gardening activities with the rest of the family. Not only is gardening a great way to pursue sustainability but this sort of activity can be shared by everyone in your household. You may also be able to hire a home caregiver that can help your senior with gardening or other earth-friendly activities.
Earth Day focuses on protecting the planet on which we live, but it’s not the only time people should care about the environment. Use the activities you adopt during Earth Day to take your eco-friendly efforts beyond the holiday. See what sort of difference your changes make if you keep them going throughout the year.