Earth Day Every Day: 52 Ways You Can Improve Our Planet
The first Earth Day took place in 1970, marking a turning point in environmental history. To celebrate 52 years of progress, we’ve compiled a list of actions you can take to improve your corner of the world. You’ll find an idea for each week of the year–take them step by step, or group them as you like. However you choose, you’ll make our planet a better place.
Sign up to volunteer with one of our local affiliates at a cleanup, recycling drive, or gardening event.
Don’t live near an affiliate? Start your own.
Pick up trash while you walk or run.
Make that hiking trail or local park cleaner than you found it by picking up after others.
Sign our pledge against litter. Don’t forget to forward the link to your family, friends, and colleagues!
Make the switch to reusable bags, and keep some in your car so you’re never without.
Use cotton or mesh produce bags to store your produce.
Ditch disposable coffee cups and bring your own mug to your favorite cafe.
Stay hydrated with a reusable water bottle.
Stash reusable utensils in your glove compartment or bike basket for last-minute snack runs.
Go really big with waste reduction and bring your own containers for takeout orders.
Make meals at home more often.
Invest in a nice set of beeswax wraps for all your food preservation needs.
Repurpose jars and other containers from your kitchen instead of throwing them away.
Use reusable silicone bags for on-the-go snacks.
Use dish towels or rags to scrub your kitchen or bathroom.
Need rags? Repurpose an old shirt.
Create less waste in the first place by making a list before you go to the grocery store or market.
When you can, purchase items in bulk to reduce packaging.
Got broken items around your house? Fix them instead of throwing them in the trash.
Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
Unsubscribe from junk mail.
Go paperless with your billing.
Check out books from your local library.
Test out new releases on an e-reader.
Donate your old books, or host a book swap.
Use digital tickets for flights, concerts, and movies.
Read documents online instead of printing them.
Use recycled paper whenever you can.
If you must print something, utilize both sides of the paper.
Recycle old electronics instead of sending them to the landfill.
Learn how to recycle where you live, curbside or not.
Carry your cans—if a neighbor or local park doesn’t recycle, bring them home with you!
Learn how to make simple sewing repairs.
Use old socks to make puppets for the child in your life.
Have fun with upcycling projects, from tin can lanterns to wine bottle trees.
Shop secondhand.
Support sustainable clothing brands.
Wild your lawn.
Start an indoor garden.
Join a community garden, or start one in your yard.
Stop using pesticides.
Make a bee hotel.
Create oases for birds and butterflies.
Share these tips with a neighbor or friend!