Are you seeking ideas to become a lean, green Earth Day machine? Consider these options to get you started:
- Recycle old electronics, light bulbs, aerosol cans, paints and paint thinners, old machine or car oil, toxic household items and cleaners.
- Recycle aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass, and paper. Challenge others to see who can collect the most.
- Begin a community vegetable garden. Plan to donate half the food to a local food pantry and share the other half among those who work in the garden.
- Beautify a park or the church grounds by planting a native plant garden.
- Plant trees. Trees are the lungs of the earth. (Choose a tree indigenous to your area and growing zone.)
- Clean up a local park, beach or forest path. (Make necessary connections with local officials to access these areas; such a connection will also allow you to multiply your impact by encouraging others to join your efforts!)
- Do an energy use inventory at home and at church. Remember, many people making small improvements in the world can have a big impact. Spread the word.
This message was adapted from the “Caring for the Earth as God’s People” resource available from the Women of the ELCA. Today we observe Earth Day.