Happy Earth Day! 

While every day should be Earth Day, use today as a reminder about how lucky we are to call this planet home. It is also a good time to consider small things you can do to take care of her. This doesn’t have to be daunting; you can start in your home by making minor changes to your lifestyle. For many, the changes you make will not only help the earth but can also help you remove annoyances in your daily life. In many cases, this can be done through reusing, reducing, and recycling. 

To many, reusing seems to imply never shopping again, but this does not have to be the case. Instead, you can donate items in good condition to Goodwill or sell them online, such as Nextdoor or Poshmark. This will get old goods out of your way and into a new loving home while preventing excess waste. Skimming through these sites to find an item you need before heading to a big store to buy it is also great. 

Reducing will require more conscious effort, but it can still be simple and not impose restrictions on your daily life. These changes can include planting your favorite fruit tree to become self-sufficient, buying fun new reusable bags to bring to the store, or buying an energy-efficient lightbulb the next time a bulb dies. 

When you think about recycling, you likely picture the big blue Recology bin in your yard, but it is essential to use it correctly. Some fall victim to “wish-cycling,” where they recycle items that seem reusable. However, it is necessary to consult a guide to ensure that all items are properly disposed of to avoid backups at the sorting centers.

While today is an important day to reflect on our impact, it’s also a wonderful day to step outside and walk through your beautiful community, taking in the sights and sounds of the nature surrounding you.