The theme for Earth Day 2025 is renewable energy: “Our Power, Our Planet.” Earth Day is an annual event first held on April 22, 1970, to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
We hope that your organization did something to acknowledge and celebrate Earth Day! Each year there are a wide range of events coordinated globally through earthday.org involving 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
Below are 8 tips for home and the workplaces to promote sustainability and protect our planet! Please share ideas as part of your safety program and wellness initiatives.
- Eat Seafood Sustainably
When purchasing seafood or ordering from a menu, ask 2 questions:
- Is this fish pole- or line-caught?
- Is this fish caught in the U.S.?
- Ditch Fast Fashion
Think of buying clothes for the long haul. Ask yourself if you will wear any clothes purchased for at least 30 wears? Have you heard of or watched: The Story of Stuff and/or True Cost? Both are worth the time!
- Freeze Produce You Can’t Eat Right Away
Freeze fresh fruits and vegetables before they go bad. They will be fresh and full of nutrients when you are ready to add to favorite recipes!
- Compost
Food waste is often a significant portion of trash collected, which rots and turns into greenhouse gases. Instead, collect and freeze household food waste. Just put wastes such as fruit and vegetables including peels, eggshells, coffee grinds, etc., in the freezer until a bag is full. Meat is discouraged so not to attract rodents. Bring the bag to a local community garden or compost collector.
OR, try composting at home or at your business! Composting is easy even in small spaces. Try vermicomposting – earthworms quickly breakdown waste – even paper and cardboard – without the need to turn the compost. There are lots of ‘how to’ instructions, here’s one: How to vermicompost by Leaf & Limb.
Many organizations are composting on the business grounds and growing beautiful gardens with the compost soil. Or businesses and homeowners can contract with vendors that collect compost and will return with nutrient rich soil. One example, compostnow
- Cut Back on Plastic
Use water dispensers at work and home to eliminate plastic bottled water. Take an audit of plastic in other parts of your home and workplace and consider other options, such as replace plastic with sustainable or compostable options such as cutlery.
Also, consider:
- refillable soap containers,
- body and shampoo bars instead of plastic bottles,
- laundry sheets rather than liquid in plastic containers,
- dishwasher tablets WITHOUT microplastics
- Eat Less Meat
Set aside the inhumane factors with large feedlots and focus on environmental concerns. Not eating meat once or twice a week or even less often has a huge impact on our planet!
It takes a lot of land to raise cattle, and globally many forests are being cleared for cattle ranches. Deforestation releases carbon dioxide stored in the trees and less forests also means less carbon dioxide is collected and removed. Not to mention the environmental damage from methane gas released by cows.
- Switch to Energy Star Appliances
Both at work and home, switch to clean energy options when it is time to replace aging appliances.
- Install Energy Efficient and Clean Energy
Local utility companies work with homeowners to switch to clean energy chooses. For commercial sites, consider LEED options when renovating or starting a construction project.
Tips based on NPR’s: Ways to live more sustainably
Photo from Pixaby: 1020565_1280