While Earth Day is officially on April 22, at Gaia Herbs, we celebrate Earth Day every day.
One of our utmost values is stewarding the planet with care. We constantly strive to improve the quality of the Earth through sustainable, regenerative practices that align with nature's inherent wisdom.
You, too, can take simple steps to show your love for the planet and celebrate Earth Day!
Here are 7 Easy Ways to Care for the Earth in Your Day-to-Day Life
It is the little things we do every day that yield the greatest results.
This is true for our environmental impact and stewardship efforts.
Yes, big actions, big changes, and big gestures are important, too! However, for most individuals and families, being intentional in our daily habits will make the greatest impact now and for generations to come.
Here are some simple ways to care for the Earth every day.
1. Save Your Vegetable Scraps
Save your vegetable scraps to make your own vegetable broth.
You can save scraps such as onion peels, garlic skin, carrot tops, celery tops, etc. in a reusable bag or container in your freezer.
Once it’s full, add the vegetable scraps to a pot, add water, and make your own vegetable broth.
You can also use your vegetable scraps to start your own compost bin.
Compost is a nutrient-rich blend of decomposed organic materials that enriches soil, transforms waste, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
Plus, it’s a great way to recycle leftovers.
2. Thank a Farmer
If you love eating fresh fruits and vegetables, thank a farmer for their work by shopping at the farmer’s market!
Buying your food from farmer’s markets offers the chance to connect with your community, support local families and farmers, and learn where your food comes from.
To find a farmer’s market near you, check out the USDA’s Farmer’s Market Directory or the National Farmer’s Market Directory.
If you want to learn more about the farm crew at Gaia Herbs, we urge you to check out our latest blog post on our new farmworker housing project!
3. Rethink Straw Usage
According to the National Park Service, over 500,000,000 plastic straws are used each day in the United States.REF#3919
After being used, they instantly become a source of plastic pollution.
The easiest way to reduce straw waste is to politely refuse a straw when ordering a drink.
You can take your impact one step further by using your own paper, glass, bamboo, or stainless steel straw.
Plastic-free straws are easy to carry and use on the go and are helpful when eating out with kids.
4. Bring Your Own Containers
According to the EPA, food containers and packaging make up over half of all municipal solid waste, and most of these are single-use.REF#3920
Instead of buying food in plastic packaging, find a grocery store near you that offers a bulk section or a self-serve food bar.
Bulk sections usually carry spices, nuts, flour, grains, and more. You can bring your own containers, weigh them, and fill them.
Take your impact a step further by bringing your own to-go container when you go out to eat.
Want to reduce plastic waste and exposure even more? Consider glass or stainless steel containers.
Taking these actions can help open a dialogue about easy ways to reduce waste.
5. Fix It, Don’t Pitch It!
When something breaks, instead of buying a new one, spend the time fixing it.
In our go-go-go society, it has become “more convenient” to just throw something away, which contributes to the waste cycle.
With countless DIY videos and tutorials on YouTube, learning how to fix something can be a simple process.
Many cities, towns, and organizations also offer fix-it clinics at local hardware stores, parks, schools, community colleges, or recreation centers.
6. Enjoy Meatless Mondays for Better Physical and Environmental Health
Eliminating meat from your diet at least one day a week provides benefits for people and the planet.
Reducing meat consumption can help preserve precious planetary resources and mitigate climate change.
For example, it requires nearly 2,000 gallons of water to raise one pound of conventionally raised beef.REF#3921
Plus, studies have shown eating a plant-based diet can provide numerous health benefits, such as better heart health, weight management, and lower inflammation.REF#3922
7. Lighten Up
Replace old incandescent and halogen light bulbs in your house with energy-efficient LED bulbs.
LEDs are long-lasting bulbs that use less energy than incandescent, halogen, or fluorescent bulbs to provide the same light output.
They reduce energy consumption and costs over time.
Want an even better solution?
Investing in tube lights—miniature circular-shaped skylights that resemble flat ceiling sconce lights—can light up an entire room or hallway using zero energy.
They cost more up-front, but they pay for themselves in spades over time. No more changing bulbs or paying for electricity to light them.
Live Life Greener
Every day, you have the choice to make a positive impact on the Earth.
Check out our previous blog article on green living for even more tips on how to lighten your footprint and make life a bit greener.
You can also read our 2023 Sustainability Report to learn more about Gaia Herbs’ sustainability efforts and how we strive to keep our planet healthy.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” —Jane Goodall