25 Eco-Friendly Things You Can Do for the Earth

Happy Earth Day! 

Here are 25 eco-friendly things you can do for our Earth:

1. Pledge to use less water. Use water only the amount needed when needed. Try taking shorter showers, only doing full loads of laundry, and not leaving the faucet running while you brush your teeth.
2. Keep water clean by using biodegradable and eco-friendly products.
3. Dispose waste and medicines properly and protect the water from pollutants and garbage. Stop throwing away your dryer lint! Throw it in your backyard of the birds, they will use it to feather their nests.
4. Use your body for transportation instead of a car: bike, walk, run, skateboard, etc. Exercise is good for you and the Earth!
5. Get the junk out of your trunk (literally!) — extra weight in your car decreases fuel efficiency.
6. Buy local: Less gas/resources are used for transportation and it helps your community!
7. Plant a tree! Trees release 02 to help keep the air clean.
8. Take the stairs instead of the elevator (great for the environment and your health).
9. Plant native species in your garden to encourage pollination from bees and birds. Here are all the plants and trees native to Kentucky.
10. Conserve energy. Turn off lights when not in the room, don’t excessively use heater or AC and pay more attention to where you set your thermostat as the seasons change or when you go on vacation. Your computer may go to sleep, but it's still sucking up energy. Turn your computer off at night!
11. Find out if your home is energy-efficient. Local power companies can come and inspect your home.
12. Pay your bills online (and opt for paperless billing) to reduce paper usage and postage costs.
13. Reduce the amount of things you buy that will contribute to waste. Cancel your newspaper or magazine subscription and read them online.
14. Reuse! The more you reuse the less waste you create. Try using cloth napkins at dinner rather than paper ones. Buy used or e-books instead of new.
15. Recycle paper, plastics, glass, e-cycle electronics, batteries, ect.
16. Donate old clothes. 
17. Have a yard sale — or visit one before you head out to buy something new.
18. Take your own mug to the coffee shop — some shops will even give you a discount for bringing your own cup.
19. Buy eco-friendly and organic products. Choose items with less packaging as well.
20. Bring your own bags to the store.
21. Participate in local environmental groups or start your own.
22. Organize an event, such as a park clean-up.
23. Teach your kids how to be eco-friendly and conscious.
24. Pack their lunch in an insulated lunch bag instead of paper or plastic bags.
25. Talk to your friends and family about it ways you can help the environment.