Tag: recycle

World Environment Day: How to Help

Today, June 5, 2022, is World Environment Day. Every day, issues affecting the environment are a major part of the daily news. Finding ways to help preserve the planet for future generations may seem hopeless or out of reach for the average citizen. But encouraging people to implement small changes is a major step in the right direction.  If you are searching for ways to help, check out the following ideas.

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Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle

Do you remember the 3 Rs for helping the environment? Reduce, reuse, and recycle are the best ways to help preserve the environment.

Reduce

Make a commitment to use less in your daily routine. Implementing small changes can produce a larger impact.

  • When possible, cut down on single-serve plastic and foam containers.
  • Skip the straw.
  • Conserve water.
  • Eat a meatless meal once a week.
  • Use refillable lighters.
  • Reduce energy consumption. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs, turn off appliances, and dry your clothes on the line or drying rack. When you leave a room remember to turn off the lights.
  • Purchase energy-efficient appliances.
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Reuse

Reusing items is a great way to help the environment.  

  • Skip the bottled water. Purchase a sturdy travel mug or cup to refill. Before leaving home, fill your containers with your favorite beverage. Not only does this help the environment, but the extra effort also saves money.
  • Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Use reusable bags to skip the plastic ones.
  • When possible, shop secondhand stores to find household items or clothing.
  • Do not throw away clothing. Donate your unwanted items to Christian charities, women’s shelters, or nursing homes.
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Recycle

 Research your community to find the nearest recycling facility. Often, recyclable products may be set out on the curbside next to your trash container for weekly pickup. Depending on the recycling setup in your area, most of the following items are welcome.

  • Glass
  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Plastic
  • Tin cans
  • Cardboard

Other areas may host special collection sites for used batteries, car oil, electronics, and printer cartridges.

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Other Ways to Help

If you are still looking for more ways to help, get involved.

  • Volunteer for community cleanups.
  • Donate
  • Write your elected officials.
  • Plant trees, shrubs, and other native plants to your area.

Every small effort helps contribute to a larger movement. Do not be afraid to contact your local chamber, town council, or other government officials on recycling issues. Working together is the first step in preserving the environment for many generations to come.

Celebrate Earth Day 2021

Today, April 22, is Earth Day! Started in 1970 by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day is an annual event. Earth Day focuses on the growing need to take care of the environment for future generations.

Do you want to do your part to help the environment? Keep in mind; the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. If you need further ideas to help celebrate Earth Day beyond April 22, check out the following list.

Image by r1g00 from Pixabay
  1. Set Up Recycling (Buy bins to set up a recycling area in your home or business. When the bin is full, simply drop off the contents at your local recycling center.)
  2. Reduce Energy Consumption Use Cold Water for Laundry
  3. Hang Clothes on a Line to Dry
  4. Shop for Eco-Friendly Products
  5. Use Reusable Cloth Not Paper Towels
  6. Invest in Rechargeable Batteries
  7. Install Energy Efficient Lightbulbs
  8. Join a Carpool (if possible)
  9. Go Paperless with Monthly Billing Statements
  10. Recycle Unusable Electronic Devices
  11. Plant a Garden, Trees, or Flowers
  12. Shop at a Farmer’s Market
  13. Serve a Meatless Meal (at least once a week)
  14. Become a Secondhand Guru (Skip buying new when possible)
  15. Set Up a Garage Sale
  16. Volunteer for Local Community Cleanup Projects or Garden Projects
  17. Skip Single-Use Plastic
  18. Donate to Environmentally Friendly Causes
  19. Become an Advocate for a Cleaner Environment
  20. Get Outdoors and Enjoy

How to Help the Environment

Every day the media delivers devastating news about the daily impact people have on the environment. Watching the disturbing images may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Do you want to change? Take small steps in your every day to make a difference.

Small Ways You Can Help the Environment

Incorporating environmentally-friendly acts into your lifestyle produces positive results. The simplistic of some of the tasks means the entire family can participate.

Go Energy Efficient

  • Turn off lights when leaving a room.
  • Turn off the computer or other technological devices when not in use.
  • Use less hot water when doing the laundry or taking a shower.
  • When heating your home, lower temperature by two or more degrees during the winter months to keep your furnace from running continuously. Or during the summer months to save on air conditioning consumption increase the temperature.
  • Allow laundry to air dry by using a clothesline or hang shirts on the shower rod.

Recycle

When possible, recycle. Set up recycling bins in your home or garage. Easy access to the containers allows the entire family to participate.

Items to place in recycling include:

  • Newspapers
  • Magazines
  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Plastic shopping bags (Many supermarkets such as Wal-Mart and Kroger have a box set up for returning plastic shopping bags.)
  • Cardboard
  • Batteries
  • Technological devices (Depending on where you live, computer parts, and other components may require a particular recycling area.)

Use Reusable Items

Purchasing reusable items is one of the best ways to help the environment. Not only do you reduce waste, but you also save money.

  • Use rechargeable batteries
  • Reusable water bottle or travel bug
  • Reusable shopping bags
  • Reusable sandwich wraps or a sandwich container
  • Reusable lunch box or bag

Simply consider the areas where your purchase may result in a single-use consumption. Reducing waste helps the environment. When purchasing household items, look for eco-friendly products.

Eat Your Veggies

Once a week, skip beef consumption. Make a vegan based meal. Processing beef requires numerous resources. Skipping a beef-based meal is actually good for the environment.

Donate Unwanted Items

Do you have kitchen appliances collecting dust? Or unwearable clothes in your closet? Donate the items to your local charity. Most donations are tax-deductible.  When someone buys an already made product, you help the environment.

Plant Trees and Flowers

If you are able, plant trees and bee-friendly flowers to help the environment. Consider growing a small vegetable garden.

Advocate

Small acts are essential for the environment. Telling others of your efforts inspires further activities. Use social media to share your accomplishments.

Community Involvement

Many organizations offer environmentally friendly activities. Cleaning up rivers, highways, or parks generally are part of spring events. Volunteer your time. Do the cleanup as a family or friend activity. Meet others who share your passion for helping the environment.