For over 50 years, people worldwide have come together to celebrate Earth Day on April 22. While the first Earth Day in 1970 attracted over 20 million Americans, today, over one billion people globally participate in the holiday. Here are five ways you can celebrate Earth Day and give back to your community:
1. Start Recycling
If you aren’t recycling already, today is an excellent time to start! Recycling is an easy way to celebrate Earth Day and is a practice you can implement daily. Why recycle? There are several benefits of recycling:
- Saves energy and reduces waste sent to landfills
- Promotes the conservation of natural resources
- Helps create jobs for more Americans
Everyday items that can be recycled at your house include paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, plastic, and metal. Check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s guide on How to Recycle to get started!
2. Shop Second-Hand
Did you know that fast fashion leads to around 40 million tons of waste each year and causes 8% of greenhouse gas emissions? As fast fashion is the second-largest contributor to modern slavery, child labor is also a common industry practice. Additionally, synthetic clothing contains a high level of microplastic, leading to ocean pollution. You can minimize your negative environmental impact by shopping second-hand or at sustainable fashion brands. Try to choose ethical brands that value both sustainability and transparency.
3. Get Planting
Many people elect to celebrate Earth Day every year by planting a tree. By just planting one tree, there are numerous positive environmental impacts. Not only does it offset carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by producing oxygen, but it also helps purify the air. If you aren’t sure what type of tree is best, a garden center or tree nursery can give you recommendations for local native tree species.
4. Volunteer
Celebrate Earth Day by giving back! Volunteering is a great way to get plugged in, meet new people, and help the environment simultaneously. Many local organizations host cleanup events so you can help make an impact in your neighborhood. Whether you decide to volunteer once a year or regularly, every little bit makes a difference.
5. Install Window Film
You can reduce your environmental impact and celebrate Earth Day all year long by installing window film. Along with lowering your carbon footprint, there are several benefits to investing in window film:
- Saves energy and improves efficiency
- Reduces residential cooling costs by as much as 30%
- Reflects up to 78% of solar heat
- More affordable and creates less waste than window replacement
- Blocks up to 99% of damaging UV rays
- Add insulation with Low-E window films
- Mitigates glare and improves occupant comfort
Get Window Film for Your Space
Are you interested in seeing how window film can benefit your space? Whether you’re considering investing in window film for your home or office, our window film experts would love to talk with you to find a product that meets your needs. Reach out today for a free quote!
As the largest 3M dealer in the Midwest with over 40 years of experience, there’s no project we can’t tackle. In fact, we’ve installed over 500,000 square feet of window film in the last year. Connect with us and receive your free quote and energy savings estimate.