There are so many ways to support the planet, and you don’t have to wait for April 22 to make it happen.
As you prepare to celebrate Earth Day, consider the ways you might create positive change for the environment this year right in your own apartment community.
Plant a tree
The world’s tree canopy is diminishing quickly in certain places — and there is something you can do about it. You can plant a tree via donation or with your own hands. Find out where a tree-planting is happening near you at sites like TreePeople.org.
Use water wisely
One of the simplest ways to protect the natural environment is to conserve water. This means turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, and running larger loads of clothes or dishes in your appliances.
Keeping toxins out of the water supply is important, too, so dispose of chemicals and poisons properly by contacting waste management programs near you, and use biodegradable products whenever possible.
Do you live in an apartment community which uses rain barrels for watering the grounds? If your community has implemented environmentally-friendly practices, let them know how much you appreciate their actions.
Save energy
Energy-efficient appliances — often easy-to-find and affordable — will conserve energy every time you use them. It’s a snap to save energy by remembering to turn off the lights in an empty room. You can also save energy by unplugging items when they aren’t in use; that way, they won’t continue to pull power.
Recycle your everyday waste
As an ever-increasing number of municipalities add curbside recycling to their waste-removal programs, it is easier than ever to save paper, plastic, aluminum and glass from landfills and get these materials recycled into new, useful items. With a simple bin system, you can easily get in the habit of sorting your recyclables. If you need to find a recycling center, check your county’s web site for details.
Recycle your e-waste
Though it’s true that the countless electronic activities we take part in every day save tons of paper and, consequently, trees, the hardware to run it all gets obsolete at an ever-increasing rate. According to EarthDay.org, only 20-25% of this waste gets recycled every year. The rest ends up in landfills, spilling toxins such as mercury, lead and cadmium. You can do your part to end the waste by recycling your cast-off electronic equipment at a community drop-off point, or by starting an electronics recycling drive yourself.
Though there certainly are many community ways to celebrate Earth Day, perhaps the most meaningful way to mark the day is to consider the everyday actions that you as an individual can take to support your corner of the planet – especially at home in your apartment community.
Photo credit: Shutterstock / ikkker