Everyday is Earth Day

Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day has served as a yearly catalyst for ongoing environmental education, action, and change. Each year, Earth Day serves as a reminder of the value of our state's precious natural resources. It helps mark the progress made by Rhode Island in protecting them – from beautiful Narragansett Bay to our local waters and green spaces to the air we breathe. While we’ve cleaned up many large sources of pollution, today many small amounts of pollution come from things like failing septic systems, runoff from large parking lots, and exhaust from thousands of tailpipes. Taken together, these seemingly small sources of pollution scattered across the state add up to big environmental problems. And the solutions lie in the decisions that we all make each day at home, on the road, at work, and at play.

A more sustainable world starts with all of us.

There are plenty of small changes you can do from the safety and comfort of home — like reducing plastic consumption and waste — you can make to be greener.

Kitchen

• Start composting: When you compost, you cut down on waste and what you have left over you can use to fertilize your garden. Simply deposit food scraps into a bin and empty it once a week. Coffee is a rich source of nitrogen for plants, both indoor and outdoor. Outside, sprinkle old coffee grounds around your plants, working the old grounds into the mulch — the grounds can help keep slugs and other plant pests away, too.
• Prevent Food Waste: Plan your grocery shopping with your meals in mind. Make a shopping list and buy what you need. Prep foods when you get home from the market. Put new food behind older food in the refrigerator. Learn more about expiration dates and how to store fruits and vegetables for maximum freshness at RIRRC's site.
• Ditch paper towels for cloth: Instead of buying more paper products, switch out paper towels for cloth rags. You can make your own rags out of old t-shirts.
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle: Cut down on what you throw away. Follow the three "R's" to conserve natural resources and landfill space.
• Green your cleaning products: Don't send chemicals into our waterways. Choose non-toxic chemicals in the home and office. It’s easy to make your own cleaning products out of vinegar, lemon and some water. When cleaning and sanitizing for COVID-19 purposes, make sure to use products approved by EPA for this purpose.
• Choose sustainable food: Learn how to make smart seafood choices at seafoodri.com.

Do Your Part, Be SepticSmart!

More than four billion gallons of wastewater are dispersed below the ground’s surface every day. Ground water contaminated by poorly or untreated household wastewater poses dangers to drinking water and to the environment. Malfunctioning septic systems release bacteria, viruses, and chemicals toxic to local waterways. When these pollutants are released into the ground, they eventually enter streams, rivers, lakes, and more, harming local ecosystems by killing native plants, fish, and shellfish. Help protect the environment AND your home's property value; find tips for maintaining your septic system here!

Hygiene

• Use sustainable beauty products: There are tons of new eco-friendly beauty brands. Using products that don’t include harsh chemicals isn’t just good for your skin, it’s good for the earth!
• Use less water: The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that eventually end up in the ocean. You can do your part by keeping your faucet low when you wash your face or by using a low-pressure showerhead. However, don’t worry about conserving water with washing your hands. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Electronics

• Purchase rechargeable batteries: Instead of tossing batteries when they’re out of juice, invest in some rechargeable batteries for your devices.
• Use long-lasting light bulbs: Energy efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also flip the light switch off when you leave the room!
• Unplug electronics: You will save tons of energy if you unplug electronics when they’re not in use. Big TVs take up lots of energy and make your utility bill more expensive. Turning off items such as TVs and computers is good for your wallet and the environment.

Shopping

• Reusable mug: If picking up coffee from your local coffee shop is part of your morning routine, make bringing your reusable mug part of the routine, too. Swapping out countless paper cups for a reusable one is a great way to go green.
• Shop wisely: Single-use disposables such as plastic shopping bags, bottles, cups and straws - along with items like six-pack rings and balloons - are unsightly, dangerous and an all-too-familiar litter on land and in coastal waters. Buy less plastic.

Other Ideas

• Recycle your car: You can donate your car to countless charities or recycle it at your local automotive recycling center. You could even receive a tax deduction for recycling your old vehicle.
• Buy a houseplant: Certain houseplants, like spider plants, help purify the air of harmful toxins. Put one in your bathroom, hallway — anywhere!
• Plant a tree: Trees provide food and oxygen. They help save energy, clean the air, and help combat climate change.
• Educate: When you further your own education, you can help others understand the importance and value of our natural resources.

Pledge 5 is a call to action to make 5 small changes in your everyday life to make a change to help limit our impact on the environment. There are many ways you can help and it’s easier than you think! We've created a list that can help you get started. Click the link below and choose 5 changes or commitments you can make for the better. Then make a pledge to practice those 5 changes in your everyday life. If you’re already doing some of the things choose 5 new things to do. Small actions add up in a big way – One person, one family, one community, one workforce, one State can work together to help our environment

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