Earth Day is on April 22nd. But the way we see it, it’s also July 15th. And December 3rd. And February 19th. (In other words, aalllll the days.) So here’s a list of Mother Nature-loving, planet-supporting ways you can make sure the earth stays healthy (and happy). 

• Learn the proper recycling techniques. Here are a couple to get you started: first, no plastic bags (like the grocery or sandwich-holding variety). They can hurt animals and get caught in recycling machinery. Best solution? Invest in some cute canvas bags for your grocery trips! Here’s another one: if it’s dirty or wet, it can’t be recycled. So rinse out those bottles (and let them dry), and if there’s food in or on it, compost instead (of course, only compost if it’s a biodegradable material). You know that phrase “one rotten apple ruins the whole bunch”? Well one dirty container can ruin your whole recycling bin. 

• Speaking of composting … whether it’s a compost pile in your yard, or a small composting bucket in your kitchen, you can combine organic materials and watch them break down into nutrient-rich, fluffy soil for your plants or garden. Fish bones? Compost them. Leftovers? Compost. Cardboard, grass clippings, and leaves? You guessed it. You can even put old clothes in the pile if they are made from 100% natural fibers like cotton, linen and wool. (Who knew?! Just cut them in small pieces first to speed the decaying process along.) 

• Leave the car at home. Instead, opt for good old-fashioned foot power … whether you’re using those feet for walking or pedaling a bike. Prefer to let a motor do the work? We have trails made just for electric modes of transportation, too (so power up the NEV or e-bike to lessen the work AND your carbon footprint). 

• Think reusable.  These days, everything from straws to sandwich bags have been designed for multiple uses. A small investment in these everyday items makes a big difference in the amount of trash in landfills — and our rivers and oceans. (Not-so-fun-fact: a single plastic water bottle can take 1,000 years to decompose. You read that right. ONE THOUSAND.) 

• Think of the little things that you can do every day that require no extra effort, but help our environment. Like picking up litter. Taking shorter showers. Turning off lights when you leave a room. Unplugging unused electronics. They’ll become a habit before you know it. 

• Last but not least, celebrate Earth Day with us at our Valencia Go Earth event!  Join us Saturday, April 22nd, from 8am to 1pm at Confluence Park, for a day of Earth-appreciating activities. There will be yoga classes, bike education, painting classes, live music, food, a local vendor marketplace and more … like a ‘compostable art show,’ which is really a thing.    

It’s important to not just love where you live, but to show a little love for where you live. Together, we can make our planet a pretty great place.