50 Things You Can do to for Earth Day and EVERY DAY!

1. Conserve water at your home or office
2. Organize a neighborhood storm drain stenciling project
3. Divert runoff with a rain garden and/or rain barrel
4. Use fertilizers sparingly, making sure to avoid driveways, roads, and sidewalks
5. Plant grasses or plants on bare spots in your yard
6. Direct gutter downspouts away from paged areas
7. Don’t mow directly to the edge of a creek
8. Take your car to the car wash or wash it on the lawn instead of the driveway
9. Regularly check your vehicle for fluid leaks and dispose of used oil by taking it to an automotive shop for recycling
10. Pick up your pets’ waste
11. Use low-phosphorus detergents
12. Regularly (every 3-5 years) pump your septic tank
13. Never pour household hazardous waste down sinks or in storm drains
14. Maintain clog free drains by using baking soda and vinegar monthly
15. Bike to work or take public transit
16. Use energy-efficient LED or CFL light bulbs
17. Seek out Energy Star, EPEAT, and WaterSense labeled products when replacing appliances, electronics, and fixtures
18. “Unplug” from electronics and enjoy time on a hike or walk around the block
19. Decrease your household energy use by 10%
20. Check your tire pressure regularly to maximize gas mileage
21. Carpool
22. Turn all ceiling fans counterclockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter to maximize air circulation and thus save energy
23. Unplug appliances, electronics, and chargers unless they’re in use
24. Wash your clothes in cold water
25. Use caulk or weather stripping to reduce air leaks in your home or business
26. Set your dishwasher for air dry instead of heat dry
27. Install a programmable thermostat
28. Schedule an energy audit from your utility company
29. Clean all HVAC filters once a month during peak heating/cooling seasons
30. Improve your recycling
31. Compost food and yard waste, and use or give away finished compost
32. Use reusable travel mugs when getting beverages to go
33. Buy items that are made from post consumer recycled material
34. Donate unwanted items, including furniture, appliances, and home goods, to thrift or resale organizations
35. Organize a neighborhood litter clean-up
36. Reduce waste from meals by cooking only what is needed
37. Pack a waste free lunch
38. Buy produce with minimal packaging
39. Have your bills sent to you electronically to save paper
40. Use Waste Paint Hardener™ or kitty litter to help properly dispose of unwanted paint
41. Use rechargeable batteries and then dispose of them properly (can be done at home improvement stores, office supply locations, or even electronic recycling centers)
42. Find your local electronic recycling center in order to properly dispose of old cords, microwaves, large appliances, etc (Environmental Recycling Inc. 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Other ways to recycle appliances include Kentucky Utilities’ Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling program and Habitat for Humanity ReStore.)
43. Landscape with native plants that require less water and fertilizer to thrive
44. Start or expand a vegetable garden
45. Build a Monarch waystation
46. Put up at least one bird or bat house to provide habitat and naturally control pests
47. Plant at least one tree for the air, water and habitat benefits
48. Provide a winter food source for wildlife by leaving native flowers on the stalks after they have died
49. Replace furniture polish with a mixture of two parts olive oil and one part lemon juice
50. Replace glass cleaner with one part vinegar and one part water