Earth Day was first recognized in 1970 and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. Today, more than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the largest civic observance in the world. But there’s still work to be done. Here are a few ways that you can do your part in taking care of our planet:
Opt for paperless billing. Over 100 million trees are cut down each year to produce junk mail. Choose paperless billing and unsubscribe from junk mail and catalogs — your planet and neighborhood mail person will thank you.
Stop using disposable plastic. Currently about 300 million tons of plastic are produced each year to make bags, bottles, packages and other commodities. Only about 10% of it is recycled. Make the switch to sustainable alternatives like a glass water bottle for work/gym and reusable grocery bags.
Recycle your e-waste. More than 50 million tons of electronic waste is generated in the U.S. alone. As a consequence, large amounts of hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and cadmium leach into our air and water. Pledge to recycle your e-waste in a safe and responsible manner instead of throwing it away.
Start composting. Billions of pounds of food are thrown away each year, ending up in landfills. One way to reduce waste is composting, a natural way of returning needed nutrients to the soil.
