4 ideas to inspire your employees to “spring into action” this Earth Day

Recycling provides a handful of benefits to our environment. However, just because something has the recycling symbol on it, doesn’t mean that it is recyclable. Have you ever noticed that the recycling symbols on many plastic items have different numbers on them? Those numbers indicate what kind of plastic the material is made of and not all are recyclable. 

Challenge: Find out what is recyclable in your area by contacting your local recycling center, then create a list of recyclable materials to hang up in your home. Be sure to check out what those numbers mean on the bottom of each plastic container!

Beyond Earth Day: Make an effort to reduce single-use plastic consumption. Bring reusable containers when grocery shopping to buy in bulk, use reusable bags, skip the plastic water bottle and use a reusable one. What other small changes can you make to reduce your plastic consumption?

Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation account for about 27% of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest contributor of U.S. GHG emissions. In honor of Earth Day, leave the keys behind and find an alternative way to get around.

Challenge: Score five points each time you choose alternative transportation today. Alternative transportation could be walking, biking, taking public transportation or carpooling. 

Beyond Earth Day: Whether you’re commuting to work or running errands, make an effort to leave your car at home, even if it’s once a week. Not only will it reduce greenhouse gas emissions, you’ll save money and get more exercise!

Did you know that 60% of water pollution is attributed to litter? As litter degrades, it releases chemicals and poisons that make their way into soil and water sources, which negatively impacts the environment, humans and animals. 

Challenge: Grab your headphones and walking shoes to take a walk and tune into a sustainability podcast or webinar of your choice. While on your walk, pick up 20 pieces of litter. Be sure to wear gloves! Need a webinar recommendation? Our ESG Reporting and Sustainability Communications Practice Lead Cathy McCarron is hosting “Understanding ESG Reporting: Best Practices and Evolving Expectations” with IABC on April 19 at noon (CST). Register here. 

Beyond Earth Day: “Adopt” a small area in the community and take responsibility for keeping one area clean around you.

More than 70% of Earth’s surface is water, but more than 99% of that water is unusable by humans and other living things. Because water is such a precious resource, we need to utilize it very wisely and do our part to save it.

Challenge: Evaluate your personal water footprint by using the water footprint calculator. Explore your results and reflect on actions you can take to help conserve freshwater resources directly and indirectly. 

Beyond Earth Day: Consider making some changes in your home to conserve water, such as: turning off the faucet when brushing your teeth, installing low-flow faucets and/or showerheads, spending less time in the shower (can you cut your shower time down to 8 minutes?), washing your fruits and vegetables in a bowl filled with water instead of under the faucet, using leftover water to water your houseplants or garden instead of dumping it, or installing a rain barrel in your garden to cut back on watering. 

An estimated 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from wasted food, and about half of all food waste occurs during the “consumption stage,” meaning waste from food service and households. That percentage doesn’t even include the resources that went into growing the food and packing, as well as the energy used to transport, cool and prepare it. 

Challenge: One of the most effective ways to prevent food waste at home is to plan meals ahead of time. Today, create a weekly menu of meals and ingredients for your household in an effort to reduce food waste and save money. Think about some of the ingredients that you can purchase on your Sunday trip to the farmers market! 

Beyond Earth Day: Meal planning and everyday efforts to reduce food waste are helpful, but there may always be some food that you just have to toss. So, what’s the best solution? Composting! Consider at-home composting (great for your garden) or recycling your organics. Check out the EPA’s guide to at-home composting to get started, or check your recycling center for more information on organics recycling (it’s free in Hennepin County!).

Volunteering with an environmental organization can help build community through sustainability action. A donation is another great way to invest in a more sustainable and equitable community. 

Challenge:  Today, participate in a local volunteer event of your choice or make a monetary donation to an environmental charity. Check out our Resource List for ideas. 

Beyond Earth Day: Set a goal for yourself to continue your volunteer or donation efforts year round. Is it a weekly walk around the neighborhood to clean up trash, a monthly volunteer event or an annual donation? 

Buying local or directly through farmers not only cuts down on emissions and encourages sustainable agricultural practices, it also supports local businesses and communities. 

Challenge:  Skip the grocery store and do your shopping for the week at a local farmer’s market! 

Don’t forget your reusable bag!

Beyond Earth Day: Commit to doing most of your grocery shopping locally! Shop at a farmers market on a regular basis and create relationships with farmers that you can support. 

Get outside and have fun at any point during the week! What better way to show our appreciation for the Earth than by spending time outside. 

• Explore the outdoors! Go for a walk at a state park, nature center or a trail near you.
• Plant a garden or a tree. Did you know that planting one oak tree brings in more insect and bird species than an entire yard of plants?
• Check out a local garage sale! Buying used goods is a great way to reduce, reuse and recycle. 
• Attend an event in your community in honor of Earth Day!