How Do You Conserve?
Conservation happens in many ways, whether it is through recycling, decreasing your water use or planting trees. Save the Earth club's members are deeply dedicated to conservation in their daily lives, as it is our goal to make the world a better place. In February, we sent out a survey to our members asking how they support environmental conservation. We greatly appreciate all of the members that took time to respond and share how they are making a difference in the world! We received many ideas for environmental conversation efforts and how we can each do something individually that can make a difference in the world! Small actions have worldwide impacts on protecting our planet. Each day the choices we make and small changes we can control are important when it comes to creating a greener, cleaner world. When we each do something, no matter how small, the compounded result of all of us making a difference can make a larger change for the good! The following are some ways you can start making our world a cleaner, better place today!
Choose biodegradable products! When shopping, consider picking items in recyclable containers or that have already been recycled. For example, choose eggs or milk in paper cartons instead plastic, or find a local dairy that can refill your milk in glass bottles.
Bring your own shopping bag to the store. Today you can find fun and bright colored totes everywhere! In fact, WWF even sends you one when you donate! Many stores provide reusable shopping totes at checkout too! Most are only 99 cents! Bring your own to the store and say “no” to the plastic shopping bags that are filling landfills and the oceans. If you must use a store plastic bag, reuse it!
Decline plastic straws and utensils when eating out. Opt for paper straws, plates or biodegradable disposable cups and utensils. If you have a favorite coffee/drink spot, bring your own travel mug! In most places, such as Starbucks, you will even get a discount!
Recycle cans and bottles to your local supermarket, if you live in a state with a deposit.
Recycle papers, cardboard, glass, certain plastics and cans at home! Contact your local disposal service to see if they can provide you a can. Most communities now have a recycling program that picks it up with regular trash weekly.
Donate old clothes and household items to Goodwill instead of throwing them out. Also, contact your local shelters (homeless and pets) to see if they need old blankets or clothes. This is a great way to help the environment, as well as your community!
Choose green products. Certain retailers, such as Sephora and Whole Foods, are now labeling products that are good for your health and the environment.
Try gardening! It is good for the environment, your health and cost effective!
Plant a tree! Did you know that the Arbor Day Foundation will give you 10 free trees specifically suited for your geographical zone just for joining for $10?! It is a great way to improve the environment, as well as your back yard! Check it out here: https://shop.arborday.org/memberships-ten-trees.aspx
Last, but not least, don’t forget to participate in Earth Hour on March 30th at 8:30 p.m. wherever you may be in the world! For more information, be sure to check out our Earth Hour blog article!
Here are some other ways that our Save the Earth members are participating in environmental conservation:
Heidi Stream: We raise our own chickens for eggs, I practice composting, I have an indoor window herb garden set up in the kitchen, and I'm just installing window box planters on the outside of the house today to plant some more herbs and peppers in. I unfortunately can't grow much on the ground because my chickens and mini-pig eat EVERYTHING!
Amanda Spradlin: My husband and I are avid recyclers. I avoid plastic when I can, buy organic, save energy by turning lights off in our home, and many other green habits. I routinely practice sustainability in every way I possibly can and have my eyes set on renewable energy in the near future. I want to be the example for people who don’t understand what sustainability is and what it means to be conscientious of our actions in the world we live in today. I am a recent member of my local Climate Citizens Lobby and am excited to see how I can make a difference in policies that affect climate change.
Melvin Prince: My family recycles. Everything. We compost and we also buy consignment. It is our hope that not only do these efforts prove sustainable for our family, but inspire others to do so as well. I also volunteered at Conservation Day for the Smithsonian.
Natalie Cheung: We are practicing bee keepers for the last four years! We started this as an attempt to monitor our small bee populations to understand what issues they are facing and if changes could be made on a small scale that would be beneficial. Also, honey is yummy!! We don’t use pesticides on our lawn or gardens and we use compost from fruits and veggies that we eat throughout the year!
Laura Patterson: In our house, we teach our kids about recycling. We also pick up trash when we see it and try to do the same with plastics at the beach. The housing where we live has solar powered water heaters so we try to shower and wash dishes during the day to use a renewable energy. We also usually wash everything in cold unless we are washing cloth diapers, then we use hot water in the middle of the day to take advantage of that solar powered hot water.
Malory Eriksen: My family and I recycle all paper, plastics, and cans through our city. It’s a small fee monthly and totally worth it. It’s amazing how empty our trash can stays! Our boys have been doing this their whole lives, and know what to recycle and what to throw out. It has also helped them take an interest in keeping our city clean. They’ll pick up trash when we’re outside and properly dispose of it without us asking them to. We also take our crushed cans and any scrap metal to a metal recycling facility nearby. We have a garden and plant veggies yearly, and recently planted 6 small pine trees and an oak tree in our yard. We recycle our shopping bags by taking them back to the stores, where they have a bin for recycling them. All our used oils go to the auto shops where it’s properly disposed of. We also try to reuse or repurpose things rather than throwing them away or buying new.
Alicia Simmons: I personally have quit using as many single use plastics as possible. Reusable water bottles, straws, and bags. I also support a group called 4ocean that's helps with beach clean ups around the world. Plastic is the biggest pollutant out right now.
Thank you again to all of our members! We appreciate all of the amazing work you are doing to make a change in the world! Your environmental conservation efforts make a huge difference to our planet! And if you have not yet started, we hope that this article and the ideas we shared will inspire you to make a difference too! Let’s start working toward a greener world today!
