Founded
in 1970 in the U.S. as a day of education about environmental issues, Earth
Day is now a globally celebrated holiday.
Earth Day
is this Tuesday, April 22. Although it's a great reminder to be environmentally
conscious, there are plenty of simple ways you can celebrate the earth all year
long. Here are just 10 ways you can be eco-friendly long after Earth Day is
over:
1. Plant a tree: Trees produce oxygen and
help reduce air pollution. A single tree can absorb 10 pounds of air pollutants
a year, and produce nearly 260 pounds of oxygen, according to the
nonprofit American Forests.
2. Recycle reusable materials: The
average person generates more than four pounds of trash every day and about 1.5
tons of solid waste per year, according to DoSomething.org.
3. Donate or recycle used electronics: Electronic
waste includes computers, cell phones, televisions and other electronic devices
in working or non-working condition that are no longer used.
4. Cut back on driving: Use public transportation,
organize a carpool, ride a bike or walk whenever possible. Leaving your car at
home two days a week will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of
1,600 pounds per year, according to the Center for Climate and Energy
Solutions.
5. Reduce your energy use: Unplug electronics when
you’re not using them. In the average home, 75 percent of the electricity used
to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off,
according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.
6. Use reusable bags: Each year, Americans throw
away about 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags and about 10 billion paper
bags, according to Earth911.
7. Buy locally: The average meal in the
U.S. travels 1,200 miles from the farm to your plate, according to the Center
for Climate and Energy Solutions.
8. Clean up the earth: More than 51 billion pieces
of litter land on U.S. roadways each year, and litter cleanup costs the nation
almost $11.5 billion each year, according to the nonprofit Keep
America Beautiful.
9. Explore the outdoors: Get to know your community
better and explore the beauty of nature. Go for a walk, run or hike with
friends and family, or a group.
10. Participate in eco-friendly activities: Earth Day
is April 22, but many people extend the celebration to make it Earth Week.
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