Earth Day 2018 – What are you doing to help your planet?

Earth Day 2018 is upon us – What are you doing to help your planet?

With Earth Day 2018 celebrations upon us, we are reminded that it is up to each one of us to do our part to preserve our planet. It doesn’t require much from us, or an impossible commitment- just a little extra thought and care is all that’s needed.

Doing our part to help our planet not only makes for a nicer and cleaner place to live, it also preserves the Earth for generations to come. Imagine how we’d feel if our ancestors destroyed our planet and polluted it beyond repair and we were left to deal with the after effects.  We must make a conscious effort to not let that happen to our children’s and grandchildren’s Earth.

Recycle Poster

Below are some simple ways to take care of our planet and improve our quality of life now and for many years to come.

Reduce – We can all do our part to reduce the amount of trash that we throw out. Recycling and reusing are just two of the ways to reduce the amount things that end up in our landfills. Many companies are already doing their part to reduce trash by eliminating the packaging on their products. Deodorant is one product that comes to mind- when I was younger, it always came in a cardboard box. Now it doesn’t, and it really never needed a package. Can you name another product that no longer has an outer package? We can also reduce our consumption of things such as water, electricity and gas. Taking shorter showers and turning the water off while brushing our teeth, turning lights and TV’S off when we’re not using them and turning the thermostat down when we’re sleeping or not at home are just a few ways we can all contribute.

Overflowing trash

Recycle – People as a whole throw away entirely too much garbage. Most communities have a recycling program and provide a bin or tote in which to place your recyclables. There are so many items that we can recycle, such as paper, newspaper, cardboard, glass bottles, plastic milk jugs, plastic shampoo bottles, tin cans and so much more. Check with your public works department for the list of acceptable items. If your community doesn’t have a recycling program, contact them and see if they can start one.

Girl recycling trash

ReUse – So many of the things we throw in the trash can actually be reused and repurposed. Laundry soap jugs, bottles and old dishes can be turned into simple bird feeders. Plastic and glass bottles can be used to store coins, buttons and other small items. I save my soup and other tin cans and put my grease in them when I’m cooking- that way I’m not putting grease down the drain and I’m repurposing the tin cans before I dispose of them. Old magazines and newspapers can be donated to your local library or elementary school. Schools always need magazine photos for projects. School-aged children’s clothes can be donated to elementary schools as well, rather than the Salvation Army or Goodwill. The nurse’s office in many schools keep extra clothes on hand for when children have accidents at school. Some schools even have “Clothes Closets” for children in need.

Kids reusing bottles to plant flowers.

Every year since my son has been little and in school, I make and send in Earth Day treats for his class. He’s probably one of only a few Juniors in High School that still bring in treats for the class, but honestly, the kids love it and even request them.

Earth Day Dirt Cups (Photo- Backyard Birdlady)

The Earth Day treats are always the same every year- Dirt Cups! Dirt Cups, worms and all, represent our earth and the dirt that provides for many of our basic needs. From the food we grow and eat to the grass we play on and the ground that baseball fields are made of, to the land that we build our homes on, we cannot live without dirt.

I’ve shared the recipe below, please feel free to make them for your child’s class. There is one rule to follow and it’s a big one. To teach the kids about recycling and reusing, you must send a bag to class with your child with the following instructions: After the children enjoy their snack, your child must collect all of the cups and spoons and bring them home to be washed and reused again. Have your child (or the teacher) explain why this is being done and how it will reduce waste and ease the burdens of our landfills. I’d love to hear how the class liked their special treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. (3.9 oz.)  chocolate flavor instant pudding
• 2 cups cold milk
  
• 1 tub (8 oz.)  whipped topping, thawed
  
• 15 chocolate sandwich cookies, finely crushed (about 1-1/4 cups), divided
  
• 10 worm-shaped chewy fruit snacks
  

Directions:

• Beat pudding mix and milk in large bowl with whisk 2 min. Let stand 5 min. Stir in whipped topping and 1/2 cup cookie crumbs.
• Spoon into 10 (6- to 7-oz.) plastic cups; top with remaining cookie crumbs.
• Refrigerate 1 hour. Top with fruit snacks just before serving.

I hope that I’ve inspired you to take that extra step and do your part to help the environment. Let’s make our planet greener and more beautiful so we and everyone who walks the Earth after us can enjoy it.

Take the pledge below, then put your name in the comments to show your commitment to preserving and beautifying our planet. Get the kids involved too, and list their names as well.

My Earth Day 2018 (and every day) Pledge

• I pledge to do my part to Reduce, Recycle and Reuse this year.
• I pledge to do my part to take care of my environment by cleaning up litter.
• I pledge to turn off unnecessary lights at home and at the office.
• I pledge to take shorter showers and turn off the water when not in use while brushing my teeth and washing dishes.
• I pledge to beautify my surroundings by planting a tree and/or flowers or by taking care of those already there.
• I pledge to help my family and friends remember to use energy wisely.

We only have one planet Earth- let’s all work together to keep it healthy and make it a better place to live and raise our families.  Thanks for your help and Happy Earth Day 2018 ~ Karen