by Ryleigh Steinmetz

Earth Day is on April 22, the 54th year as an established day to focus on protecting our environment. The theme for this year is Planet vs. Plastics because it emphasizes a light on the influx of plastic pollution. We all have a part to play in helping to improve the place that we all share. Here are some activities that you can do to participate not just in Earth Day, but every day.

1. Small Switches: Replace your plastic straws with straws made of different materials. You can use paper, metal, silicone, glass, or bamboo straws instead of single-use plastic ones. It might seem insignificant, but scientists estimate over 7.5 million straws pollute US coastlines alone. Although some may see this as an inconvenience, consider the larger impact that all of us can make if we simply replace our straws.

2. Every Drop Matters: Take shorter showers or make a conscious effort to not waste the water. Get in the shower sooner, rather than waiting for it to warm up to your liking. By doing so you’re benefiting the Earth and yourself. You help the Earth by preventing wastewater and runoff from entering the ocean, while you benefit yourself by saving money on water.

3. Thrift Stores are Key: Go thrifting this Earth Day. Thrift stores can be a useful tool in helping you live sustainably. They help reduce the amount of clothes that are thrown away. They can help to combat the fast fashion trends, like the pollution from the factories that are making these clothes and the high amount of materials tossed into landfills.

4. Plastic to Paper: Stop using plastic bags. Instead, consider using paper, mesh, reusable, or silicone bags to carry your groceries and lunches. Studies show that it can take over 1,000 years for a singular plastic bag to decompose. However, it only takes 2-6 weeks for a paper bag to decompose. Reusable bags can help significantly decrease the use of plastic bags which a typically only used one time, where as reusable can last several years.

5. An Oldie but a Goodie: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. This slogan has existed since the late 1970s, and for good reason. The motto is simple yet effective. However, make sure you are only recycling objects that can be recycled and not trash. There are numbers on the bottom of plastic items that determine if they can or cannot be recycled. Check your area to find which numbers are accepted and which are not.

 Earth Day was put in place to change our environment for the better. Over 1 billion people celebrate Earth Day, so do your part to help the Earth. Remember, you may feel like you are only one person and what you do is not enough, but if we all come together for the only Earth we have, change is possible.