Green Tips for a Happy Earth Day from ADEC Innovations

Earth Day is quickly approaching on April 22nd! What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day? Here are 10 green tips from Rustle the Leaf to ensure that you have a happy Earth Day:

Green Tip 1: Slow the Flow

A faucet leaking just one drop per second wastes over 1,300 gallons per year! A leak from a hot water source wastes both water and fossil fuels, creating more greenhouse gasses. Most repairs to plumbing fixtures pay for themselves within just a year. Fix it!

Green Tip 2: Think Green When You Clean

Cleaning products that contain chlorine or petroleum distillates expose your family to toxins and then end up in the ecosystem. Choose nontoxic, naturally derived cleaning products, which are proven effective but won’t cause long term damage to the Earth.

Green Tip 3: Choose Both Sides

Every year, pulp mills release over one trillion gallons of chlorine-tainted water as part of the paper making process. Using the other side of the paper can cut that pollution almost in half! And choose recycled paper—especially processed-chlorine-free recycled paper.

Green Tip 4: 'Green' Your Machine

Americans waste over 700 million gallons of gasoline each year just because tires aren’t properly inflated. Millions more are wasted because our vehicles aren’t properly tuned up. Keep your machine running ‘Green!’ You’ll save money and reduce emissions!

Green Tip 5: Meat Less For Dinner

Once a week, plan a meat alternative for dinner. Enjoy pasta with a marinara or Alfredo sauce, meatless chili burritos, or even grilled veggie burgers! Reducing meat consumption conserves fresh water, saves topsoil, and even reduces air pollution!

Green Tip 6: Walk, Hike, Ride a Bike

If people in the U.S. would occasionally ride a bike for a short errand instead of driving a car, over 70 million gallons of fuel could be saved each year! And there’s the added benefit of enjoying the fresh air and exercise! For short errands, take a hike!

Green Tip 7: Plant A Tree Every Earth Day!

Over a 50-year lifetime, a tree generates $31,250 worth of oxygen, provides $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycles $37,500 worth of water, and controls $31,250 worth of soil erosion. It also provides shade that keeps homes and cities cooler!

Green Tip 8: Give Weeds a 'Hand'

Herbicides aren’t the only way to control weeds, and they’re certainly not the most environment-friendly way! Invest in a good pair of gloves and garden tools, and remove weeds by hand. Also, choose natural alternatives to pesticides for getting rid of pests!

Green Tip 9: Lighten Your Energy Bill

There’s a brighter way to light your home: new Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). Compared to regular bulbs, CFLs last 10 times longer, use only 1/4 the energy and produce 90% less heat—yet they produce more light per watt! Brighten the future: go CFL!

Green Tip 10: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

It’s more than just a slogan. You can start making the world a ‘greener’ place today: return hangers to the cleaners, donate clothing and computers to charities, pack lunches in reusable containers instead of bags, there are hundreds of easy things to do! It’s up to you!

For more ideas, visit the Official Earth Day website. You can even take part in some volunteer opportunities to celebrate!

 ADEC Innovations (ADEC) helps organizations recognize business drivers for sustainability practices and offers cost-effective sustainability management solutions. To stay current on the latest sustainability trends, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, GreenWatch.