Every April 22, we celebrate Earth Day as a global community. Earth Day was originally established by a U.S. senator in 1970 and is now celebrated around the world. Whether you’re an environmental advocate or just looking for new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle, observing Earth Day is a great way to get involved in protecting our planet.
Need ideas for Earth Day? No sweat! There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day in a positive way. And the best part? None of these activities make a lot of money.
39 Earth Day Activities on a Budget
1. Leave your car at home
If possible, walk, cycle or use public transport. Separate cars off the road help reduce carbon emissions and minimize greenhouse gas impact.
2. Save water
Take fewer showers, turn off your lawn sprinkler system, and turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. The less water we use, the more water remains in our rivers, estuaries and waterways.
3. Plan a river cleanup
Unfortunately, debris is often transported by water. Trash can settle along riverbanks and cause problems for wildlife. Grab your trash bags, gloves, and a few friends and get to work. Don’t forget to separate garbage and recyclables.
4. Eat a vegan meal a day
Deforestation, soil degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions are all byproducts of the meat industry. Trying a vegan diet on Earth Day can help you be mindful of these environmental factors.
5. Eat local
As food miles accumulate, the cost of food increases and so does the carbon cost of the meal. Buying local means fewer resources are spent from farm to fork.
6. Go hiking
What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by reconnecting with nature by taking a walk through your favorite park or trail?
7. Practice yoga outdoors
Whether you’re a hatha expert or a beginner in ancient Indian practices, get in touch with nature and work on poses and breathing techniques in the great outdoors.
8. Be kind to bees
Support pollinators. Create a bee-friendly environment in your neighborhood. This includes planting local native plants, providing water sources, and eliminating pesticides.
9. Bring plants indoors
To improve the atmosphere (and air quality) of your home, consider buying some small houseplants and bringing them indoors. Here are some plants that can be grown indoors.
10. Donate used clothes
If you have a closet full of clothes you don’t wear often, avoid contributing to the textile waste epidemic and donate them to your local thrift store or charity.
11. Go hunting (for plastic)
Planning a neighborhood cleanup or going out on your own are great ways to celebrate Earth Day. Grab your trash bags and gloves and look for trash on roadsides, sidewalks, and parks. Dispose of your trash properly and enjoy the beauty of nature.
12. Recycling
Too many recyclable items end up in landfills due to improper disposal. Double-check your local municipality’s recycling program and be sure to reuse anything that can be recycled. No more throwing water bottles in the trash.
13. Skip the bird feeder.
Building a bird feeder may seem like a nice DIY method for birdwatching, but it can spread bird diseases, encourage invasive species to outcompete local birds, and damage your garden or garden. You may attract natural enemies to your home. Instead, go for a nature walk and enjoy the wildlife.
14. Plant a tree
Trees help offset carbon dioxide in the air and produce oxygen for us to breathe. And they are beautiful. Planting a tree on Earth Day can leave a lasting impact for years to come.
15. Join a local conservation group
If you’re passionate about the environment, you can get involved with local conservationists and celebrate the ideals of Earth Day all year round.
16. Start composting at home
Composting is a great way to recycle food scraps, garden trimmings, egg cartons (with labels removed), and other organic matter back into the environment. Learn how with the Environmental Protection Agency’s easy guide to home composting.
17. Start a home garden
Cultivate your green thumb and start a vegetable garden. Growing your own crops reduces your impact on the environment and gives you fresh vegetables to enjoy all summer long.
18. Teach children about Earth Day
Whether you’re a parent or teaching your children, it’s never too early to teach your children about environmental protection. Some fun ways to do it include Earth Day crafts like pine cone art, scavenger hunts for recyclables, reading Earth Day books, and nature walks.
19. Change some light bulbs
Using small lamps instead of large overhead lights, turning off lights when you leave a room, and opening blinds during the day to let in natural light are great ways to save energy. Don’t forget the LED bulbs!
20. Eat more fruits and vegetables
Producing fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes generally produces far fewer greenhouse gas emissions and has a lower carbon cost than meat or fish.
21. Dial back your air conditioner
Depending on your location, you can turn your air conditioning or heating back on to save energy and reduce usage. This can reduce your bill. and Burden on the environment!
22. Bask in the morning light
Have you ever been guilty of checking your email or scrolling through Instagram as soon as you wake up? Instead, open your windows and let in some natural light during the day. The circadian rhythm is in order.
23. Shop sustainably
Be careful where you buy your clothing. Fast fashion companies are polluting the environment at an alarming rate. Instead, shop second-hand and look for upcycled products at local thrift stores and consignment stores.
24. Buy what you need
When you throw away food, you also waste the resources it took to grow, harvest, and transport that food to market. By buying what you need, you reduce waste, save money, and reduce your impact on the environment.
25. Switch your home’s energy source
Contact your local power company to see if you can switch to renewable energy sources like wind or solar.
26. Invest in energy-efficient appliances
If it’s time to replace your washing machine or refrigerator, look for energy-efficient machines that use less energy. You can find Energy Star labels on appliances.
27. Hand wash and air dry.
Although it’s not the most practical, you can also hand wash your laundry in your (clean) kitchen sink and hang your clothes on a clothesline in your backyard to air dry. No outdoor space? Please use the bathroom.
28. Buy an electric car
More of a lifestyle investment than an Earth Day budget activity, purchasing an electric vehicle will significantly minimize your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, and waste your gas money. .
29. Unplug appliances that are not in use
Appliances that are plugged into an electrical outlet consume energy even if the “on” button is not activated. Unplug appliances like hair dryers, coffee makers, and even computers when they’re not in use.
30. Weather your house
Keeping your home insulated from the elements can reduce heating and cooling costs and reduce energy usage. Use door treatments to reseal windows and doors, insulate your attic, and maintain heat and air conditioning.
31. Don’t travel by plane
The less fuel you use to travel, the less carbon dioxide you add to the environment. Help prevent climate change while saving on airfare!
32. Let’s ride a bicycle
What better way to enjoy beautiful spring weather and minimize your carbon footprint than by cruising around your neighborhood on your bike? We can’t think of one.
33. Clean up your local trails.
Although most parks have pack-in-pack-out rules in place, tons of hikers leave behind trash. Get hands-on and clean your favorite path of trash, debris, plastic bottles, and other debris.
34. Buy eco-friendly products
There are still many companies that operate without considering the environment. Take yourself out of the equation by purchasing eco-friendly products, such as compostable garbage bags, products made from recycled materials, and products with eco-friendly packaging.
35. Spend time at your local park.
Simply getting outside and observing the beauty of the natural world is a great way to celebrate Earth Day. We are lucky to live in a world full of natural beauty. Get outside and connect with nature.
36. Hold a concert
Environmentalism and music often go hand in hand. If you’re a musician, hold a small concert and offer free admission to people with a donation to a local environmental agency.
37. Or just play music outside.
Do you have an acoustic guitar? Tambourine? Even just your voice? Embrace your inner flower child, step outside and sing your tunes at the top of your lungs. Maybe we’ll be able to have regular jam sessions!
38. Plant flowers
Flowers are not only beautiful, they promote healthy ecosystems, attract pollinators to new habitats, and provide oxygen production and carbon absorption for today and future generations.
39. Dispose of household items responsibly.
If you need to dispose of old motor oil, leftover paint, or other environmentally hazardous substances, be sure to do so responsibly. Contact your local garbage collection company for instructions.