Celebrate Earth Day With the Family

Get the whole family involved in something “green” today, Earth Day. Whether you’re a parent, teacher or just an active individual looking to be the change you wish to see, Earth Day Network

has easy and effective ways to get involved.

Plastic is so commonplace in our everyday lives that it is easy to loose track of how much we go through in a day. With the vast amount of plastic pollution poisoning oceans, injuring marine life, affecting land, wildlife and even our own health, Earth Day Network provided enough resources to educate and encourage change.

Begin with a little self-reflection and determine how much plastic waste you produce with the Plastic Pollution Calculator

. By understanding how much daily, monthly and yearly consumption and plastic waste we each produce, we can determine our Yearly Personal Reduction, or number of plastic items you could reduce against your current yearly total. This is just a small way to alleviate some stresses on the planet and kick-start a green-conscious lifestyle.

© Geoffrey Kuchera | Dreamstime.com

For families looking for a way to spend Earth Day, make a pledge on the Earth Day website to reduce your use of plastic in everyday life, on vacation, at work and everywhere in between. The site’s main goal is to inform, inspire and ultimately change our attitudes and actions toward the environment. Check out the lineup of easy, hands-on ways to give back and take the first step in altering the way we view plastic, Styrofoam and other harmful, manmade waste.

Get some exercise and save money on gas by going carless for the day. Try to walk or bike wherever you can and reduce your carbon footprint.

Do something together as a family. Make the day fun and play games outside while planting trees, or look into volunteering with local park clean-up crews. You’ll get that fleeting quality time while teaching kids early the importance of environmental awareness.