Happy Earth Day! 10 things you can do to help the planet

Today will mark the  20th anniversary of environmental action, education and leadership in Canada, and the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in Canada. Here are the 10 things you can do, as suggested by Earth Day Canada last year. Happy Earth Day!

1. Smart shopping

  • Buy what you need, not what you want
  • Consider renting and borrowing things that are seldom needed
  • Buy used items from garage sales and second-hand stores
2. Simple savers
  • Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
  • Use aerators on faucets and shower heads
  • Weatherstrip windows and doors
3. Transportation alternatives
  • Walk, cycle, car pool and use public transportation
  • When driving, reduce idling and maintain correct tire pressure
  • Consider car sharing programs or renting
4. Food choices
  • Choose local and organic foods that are in season and support local food producers
  • Eat less meat
5. Washing and drying
  • Wash full loads of clothes in cold water and hang to air dry
6. Heating and cooling
  • For summer air conditioning, set your thermostat to 24°C or 25°C
  • For winter heating, set your thermostat to 19°C or 20°C
  • Install ceiling fans and programmable thermostats
7. Close to home
  • Vacation, travel and work as close to home as possible
8. Bathroom basics
  • Take short showers instead of baths
  • Close water taps while brushing your teeth
9. Careful cleaning
  • Choose natural, non-toxic cleaning products
  • Make simple, natural cleaners with ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and water
10. Don’t discard
  • Donate, reuse and recycle items before throwing them into the trash
  • Harmful materials like chemicals, batteries, electronics, etc. should be taken to local hazardous waste depots or recyclers

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON EARTH DAY CANADA

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