Earth Day is a day in which we as a community come together and share our favorite tricks and tips on how to better help our planet. This day is one which represents the Earth and all her beauty. Today, I will be sharing my favorite tips and tricks when it comes to reducing, reusing, and recycling.
- Plant Propagation
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My first tip is for the plant lovers out there. If you have any small glass jars (I personally use my ‘Oui’ yogurt jars) use them as a simple propagation tool. Propagation is a way to breed your plants from the main parent stalk, so if you’re like me and love to take clippings from friends and family, this is a great way to begin growing your plants. All you do is put your plant clippings in your cup or jar and add water, making sure to cover the stem but not the leaves. Depending on what kind of plant you’re propagating, roots should begin to sprout within 2 – 8 weeks; remember to add water when it starts to go down, or completely refill your jar with clean water. Once your roots are about 2 – 3 inches long, you can take your plant out of the water and pot it in the ground or in a nice plant pot.
- Reusable Cups
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Whenever I’m going out with friends or family, or simply running errands, having water is a necessity. Instead of buying water where you go, bring your own. I personally love using hard plastic cups which have a lid and straw. By having your own reusable cup, you are saving money on buying water and reducing your plastic use. Note that some restaurants and facilities may not allow you to bring your own cup, so make sure to do your research.
- Reusable Bags
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This tip is one that many people know but don’t bother switching to. Reusable bags can be used for many things: groceries, beach trips, overnight stays, and so much more. Another great thing about reusable bags is the price and availability. Reusable bags usually range from around $.25 to $2.00 and are sold at most grocery markets and stores making them pretty much accessible to all. The next time you are out and about, pick up one or two reusable bags and keep them in your car for your next adventure.
- Recycle, My Dudes
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After moving to Italy in my sophomore year of high school, my idea of recycling completely changed. In Italy, recycling is a big part of their lifestyle and everyday routine. Once I graduated and moved back to the states, I brought that love for recycling with me and never looked back. If you have cans, cardboard boxes, paper, or plastic containers, you can recycle; all you need is a small bin or container to hold your recyclables until you are able to recycle them properly. Just remember to look up your state, region, and/or county guidelines on what can and cannot be recycled in your area.
- Reducing the Horrid Toothbrush
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Here is a statistic that many people don’t know, approximately 4.7 billion toothbrushes are thrown away every year in America alone. Yikes! One of my favorite ways I have reduced the toothbrush landfill is by switching to bamboo toothbrushes. Bamboo toothbrushes are another globally growing industry that is absolutely amazing. By using a bamboo toothbrush, you are still keeping your pearly whites clean, but you are also reducing landfill and ocean waste. Bamboo is biodegradable and eco-friendly with an average rate of decomposition between 4 – 6 months!
Plastic Toothbrushes Add 50 Million Pounds of Waste to Landfills Every Year! – One Green Planet
End Plastic Pollution | Earth Day
Bamboo Toothbrush — Kind Planet
How to root plant cuttings in water for propagation – cleverbloom