Under normal circumstances, people around the world would be honoring Earth Day with celebrations including festivals, organized clean-ups and nature walks. But this year things will be a bit different considering the stay-at-home order.
And while this global crisis continues to remind us that human health and the health of our environment are intimately linked, it also gives us the opportunity to think of creative ways to exercise our responsibilities to act for the environment while we are at home.
So, we rounded up a few simple, eco-friendly activities to help make a difference in the world while in the comfort of our own homes. Because a little bit goes a long way when it comes to saving the earth.
Ditch plastic straws
Americans use more than 500 million drinking straws daily, enough to fill 125 school buses. Replace your plastic straws with a set of reusable ones, made from stainless steel, glass, silicone, or bamboo. These options have glowing reviews.
Start a garden
This is a perfect time to start a garden – even if you don’t have a green thumb. If you’re a beginner, try growing an herb garden on your windowsill. Learn how-to here.
Turn off the lights
While this may seem like a no-brainer, people forget to do this. Turning off the lights when you leave a room can significantly cut down how much energy you are using. You can also save energy by spending time in the sunniest room in your house.
Skip meat (for a day, atleast)
Going meatless one day a week can make a difference. Have some fun by hosting a plant-based virtual cooking class with family or friends. We can’t deny that these recipes look pretty delicious.
Re-purpose household items
We’re talking about the items that could be trash but shouldn’t be. For instance, soup cans can re-purposed and up-cycled into beautiful planters and wine bottles into custom vases. Here are some other brilliant hacks.
Pick up a good book
Stop binge-watching Netflix and start binge-reading. Streaming services come with a hefty environmental price tag. Need some book recommendations? We have a bunch of these books on our quarantine reading list.
Shop local
Buying locally helps reduce your food miles, and most of the items being sold have limited packaging. Plus, now more than ever, small businesses need your business. Prefer to shop online? Check out Misfits Market - an environmentally conscious produce home-delivery service.