Enjoying the Great Outdoors- The Green Way

It's almost summer- a time to enjoy hosting barbecues, planning cookouts, and spending time outside.   With this warm weather, it is important to know how to continue your green living habits; whether you are going to the park, relaxing on vacation or even enjoying your apartment's community's pool!

Here are some tips for keeping the environment a priority when you spend time outside this season:

• Use Sunscreen With Few Chemicals: Sunscreen contains numerous chemicals that can contaminate the environment if spilled on the ground.  This is also the case with insect repellents.  Try to find products with as few chemicals as possible.  In fact, you can make your own sunscreen; here are some ingredients that naturally block the sun:

Earth Day Part II: Modern Movement

Earth Day Celebrates an Important Anniversary

Last week, our blog post detailed the history of the Earth Day Movement.  Tomorrow, Earth Day celebrates an important anniversary- the 45th year since the movement began in 1970.

What can you do to celebrate Earth Day in 2015?

The Earth Day Network, the organization that created and continues to promote Earth Day, spearheads the "A Billion Acts of Green," an international movement dedicated to securing a sustainable future.  In order to join the movement, you can take action (an "act of green") on the Earth Day website by signing The Climate Petition, supporting Environmental Education, reducing daily Energy Consumption, or submitting an original art piece to "Footing the Bill: Art and our Ecological Footprint."  So far, the Earth Day Network has received 1,123,953,067 acts of green.

Earth Day Part I: A Look Back

From the original Earth Week campaign in 1970.

The History of Earth Day

If you live a green life, or want to start, a great day to celebrate is Earth Day!  Held annually on April 22, Earth Day is a holiday to celebrate and promote environmental advocacy.

Do you know the history of Earth Day?

The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970.  Roughly 20 million people attended various Earth Day celebrations around the United States.  The largest Earth Day celebrations occurred in New York City and Philadelphia.

Earth Day is often credited with starting the modern environmental movement.  Many groundbreaking environmentally-conscious laws followed the first Earth Day, including the Clean Air Act that was signed by president Richard Nixon on December 31, 1970.

What Happens to Your Recycling?

Recyclables Turn Into Other Recyclables

If you have read our past blogs and are committed to living a green life, you understand the importance of recycling.  The best way to protect the environment is to recycle and reuse products that, if thrown away, will take years to disintegrate into the ground or ocean.

When you put out your recyclables, what happens to the products once they go through a recycling center? 

Plastics

• Water Bottles: Water Bottles are examples of PET plastics.  These plastics are recycled as fiber products- like carpet materials!
• Plastic Milk Containers: These materials are turned back into plastic products, such as laundry detergent bottles.
• Styrofoam: Contrary to popular belief, Styrofoam cannot be recycled.