Easy Earth Day Ideas to Celebrate all Year
Easy Earth Day Ideas to celebrate all year long. Earth Day is one of those days, like Valentine's, that should be happening every day of the year. But it's a great time to remember and recommit to a more sustainable lifestyle. Take a look at the list.
Are there some simple changes you can make in your life that will have a positive impact over time? Some are really easy. Others require an investment of time or money. But all of them are worth it in the long run.
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Recycle & Up-Cycle
Simple Gnome Craft using up-cycled sweaters – get the pattern and instructions here
Earth Day Ideas to recycle
- Donate any clothing and home goods that you aren't in love with any more. Give them a second life and stock up on some new summer gear at your local thrift store. You can find great items with a lot of life still left in them.
- Use recycled items to create bird feeders, decorations, and crafts. I'll be sharing a cute recycle craft for mother's day soon.
- Shop used furniture/accessories and refinish
- You can find my favorite list of US Thrift Stores Here
Remodel with Care
Easy Earth Day Idea to Celebrate all year
Construction waste accounts for 24% of all landfill waste in the US. If you are remodeling you can:
- Practice “Deconstruction” instead of Demolition – talk with your contractor about ways to recycle concrete, wood, and other materials
- Reclaim as many bricks as possible, you can sell them or reuse them on the interior for a cool industrial look
- Sell or donate those used cabinets
- Donate old {but working} fixtures, lighting, doors, windows, appliances, faucets, door knobs, etc. to places like ReStore where the sales benefit the Habitat for Humanity. Click to see the closest location near you .
- Also shop the ReStore to find your next home treasure!
Earth Day Ideas to Reduce your Water Consumption
We've been in a 20 year drought in the West and even though we had record snowfalls this winter, we'll need several more years like this one to fully catch up. Some easy ways to reduce water use:
- Wet your toothbrush and turn off the water while you brush – same with hand washing
- Wet your hair and turn off the shower while you shampoo
- Use a bucket in the shower to catch the water and use it to water plants
- Only run the dishwasher and washing machines with full loads {my hubby disagrees with this one 😂} and stop pre-washing those dishes by hand
- Instead of planting annuals this year, try adding some hardscape and a few varieties of native plants. You can get a list of recommended plants for your state here.
- Use soaker hoses or drip line irrigation instead of sprinklers {much of the water gets evaporated before it hits any of your plants or lawn}
- Go through a car wash instead of doing it at home
- Install an automatic shut-off nozzle on your garden hose. It could save 5 gallons per minute of unattended water flow.
Reduce all Plastic – Single Use Especially
Plastic is convenient. That is true. But it's also very damaging to our world and even our health as particles seep into our water.
- Use those reusable shopping bags. I find myself at the store way too often without them.
- Buy in bulk to reduce the packaging waste
- Try glass food storage containers instead of those plastic ones
- Switch out plastic straws for colorful paper straws to match an event, stainless steel straws, or even bendy straws made from plant based materials.
- Refill water bottles instead of buying plastic. Encourage the whole family to use them. This Yeti stainless steel one is my favorite .
- Use a paper towel over the top of food in the microwave to prevent splatters {instead of plastic wrap}, then use that paper towel as your napkin for the meal, as long as it's not too splattered!
- Use bamboo cutlery, plates, and paper goods if you need single use items for an event. I've got some more great ideas on how to make your events more eco-friendly here .
Earth Day Ideas to Reduce your Electricity Use
It's just habit to turn on a light when walking into a room, but next time stop and see if you really need the extra light. Is there a blind you can open instead?
- Use natural light as much as possible
- Switch out your bulbs to LED lights – there are LED options for any fixture
- Make sure lights are turned off as you leave a room and every time you leave the house {children are notoriously bad at this} OR set your lights up on a timer
- Turn off your power strips when not in use or out of town
- Program your thermostat to reduce heat/cooling during the day when you're gone, and again while you're sleeping
- Check that your vents aren't being blocked by furniture and can flow freely
- Cover your windows with UV blocking drapery, blinds, or window film to reduce heat gain/loss through the glass
- At night try a “house flush” by opening windows on the main and upper floors to push the warmer air up and out of the house.
- Price out solar panels in your area. If it doesn't make sense for your location or budget, try using solar powered landscape lighting instead of hard wired options. Like these fairy lights, or these landscape lights.
Earth Day Ideas Made Easy
Are any of these Earth Day ideas ones you might want to try this year? See how well they go and maybe try a few more. The goal is to change your lifestyle and adopt these strategies into your every day life.
If you try any of them I'd love to hear how it goes in the comments below. And if you share photos, I want to see it too! Please tag us @partieswithacause on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. We love celebrating all your hard work!
Then join me, your Healthy Hostess for better-for-you holiday and party foods and ways to make your events more eco-friendly. Grab your free food substitution guide as the first step in your next healthy holiday gathering.
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More Eco Friendly Party Ideas
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Fall Gnomes from Up-cycled Sweaters
No Sew Gnomes from Single Socks
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