null

6 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day at Home

Every year on April 22nd, the world comes together to celebrate Earth Day.

Curious about how Earth Day is celebrated across the globe? All over the world, communities participate in Earth Day activities that honor our planet Earth, like volunteer cleanups, community gardening events, and Earth Day festivals. However, Earth Day doesn't have to be a public affair, there are plenty of meaningful actions you can take to go green at home.

If you're looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day and make your home more eco-friendly, we've got you covered.


What Is Earth Day?

Earth Day marks the anniversary of the first large-scale movement to raise public awareness of environmental issues like deforestation and pollution.

This event was first celebrated in 1970 in the United States in protest of polluted airways, waterways, and growing deforestation.1 Politicians, activists, churches, and citizens joined together to raise awareness of these growing issues and educate the public on ways to save the planet.

This movement ultimately led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and ushered in milestone environmental laws that protect our air, land, and water.

That's a lot to celebrate.


#1 Plant a Tree

What better way to honor planet Earth than planting a tree in your backyard? Not only do trees help filter the water we drink, but they are also the lungs of Mother Earth. These magnificent plants actively absorb and store pollutants, like carbon dioxide, in their leaves while releasing oxygen back into the air.

Depending on the type of tree you plant for your Earth day activity, it can also provide a home to local wildlife or food for birds and other critters.


#2 Repurpose Household Materials

Every year, we generate 2.12 billion tons of waste.2 Unfortunately, we dump this garbage in landfills, which can pollute our waterways and airways.

With these stats in mind, you may want to rethink the way you define waste. Instead of throwing away "useless" household materials, like old toothbrushes, plastic bottles, or shoeboxes, channel your inner DIY pro and repurpose them into something new.

For example, you can upcycle empty wine bottles into vases to hold flowers, and old shopping bags or magazines can be used as gift wrapping.


Gardening can be an excellent way to connect yourself to Mother Nature on Earth Day. Something as simple as planting a herb garden or planting a few rows of vegetable seeds can help support a sustainable ecosystem by providing necessary habitat and food for garden insects and animals.

Gardening may also help you develop a deeper appreciation for our planet and all it does to sustain life. If you live somewhere with little outdoor space or would prefer a gardening experience without dirt and worms, consider adding an AeroGarden at-home garden system to your home.

These indoor gardens are the first step to having fresh food at your fingertips. Free of herbicides, pesticides, and GMO seeds, you can feel confident that the food you grow is good for you and the environment.

#4 Plan an Outdoor Project

Greenify your outdoor space by planning an eco-friendly project. From planting a native plant garden to attracting pollinators to installing energy-efficient lighting fixtures on your patio, there are plenty of ways to make your outdoor space greener.

If you’re looking for kid-friendly Earth day activities, a nature scavenger hunt or outdoor craft, like rock painting and leaf-rubbing, can inspire your kids to get outside and appreciate the planet.

#5 Rethink Food Scraps

This Earth Day, cut down on your food waste. Instead of tossing your apple cores and different types of peppers into the trash, purchase a compost bin for your kitchen counter. Your leftovers will eventually transform into nutrient-rich fertilizer, or compost.

Not only does composting help reduce food waste, but the compost can also be a great source of nutrients when added to your garden or houseplants. If you're feeling ambitious, you can even build a compost bin or pile in your backyard to maximize your impact.

However, you may want to be a little strategic with what scraps you throw into the compost. Certain fruits and vegetables, like celery, carrots, and avocados, can be regrown from table scraps. Find your favorite reusable container, add water, and watch in awe as your leftovers transform before your eyes. (This sustainable practice can help you cut down on food waste and grocery costs.)


#6 Make a Promise

Little changes in your daily routine can make a big impact. On your Earth Day celebration, take some time to reflect on how you can support a healthy environment, and make a list of the ways you can save water and energy in your household. For example, set time limits on your showers or switch to energy-efficient light bulbs.

Or perhaps, take your foot off the gas pedal and onto a bike pedal. Commit to bike to work or school on certain days of the week to reduce air and noise pollution in your neighborhood.

And make a promise to yourself, and the planet, to follow through with these plans!


Sources:

1Earth Day. The History of Earth Day. https://www.earthday.org/history/

2The World Counts. A World of Waste. https://www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/planet-earth/state-of-the-planet/world-waste-facts