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Celebrating Earth Day 2024
Work Together Today for a Better Tomorrow
On April 22nd, organizations, communities and individuals join together to celebrate Earth Day and spread awareness for environmental issues. What started in 1970 as a protest for a sustainable and healthy environment is now celebrated across the globe each year. Taking part in Earth Day is a great way to demonstrate how much you care about the future of the planet. Whether you plant a tree or clean up around your neighborhood, this day serves as a reminder to get involved and keep the momentum going all year long.
At Budget Dumpster, we support organizations nationwide with sustainable and environmentally-focused missions. We’re also dedicated to helping individuals do their part through smaller actions that make a big difference. Read on to learn about virtual events taking place this year, and find ideas to make your own contributions to better the planet.
8 Simple Ways to Celebrate Earth Day at Home
1. Educate and Entertain Your Children
Plan a few Earth Day activities for your kids to get the whole family involved. Check out these Earth Day crafts that are educational and fun for any age:
2. Drive Less, Walk More
If you need to get out of the house for some fresh air, leave the car behind and walk, bike or jog outside. For every mile you don’t drive, you reduce your carbon footprint by one pound.
3. Get Educated About What's Recyclable
We've been recycling for years, but it might surprise you to know that many of us are still putting the wrong things in the recycling bin. The average recycling contamination rate is 1 in 4 items. Read about these common things you can't recycle to toss trash the right way and keep the recycling stream clean.
4. Remove Invasive Plant Species
Invasive plants overtake natural environments and prevent the growth of other plants. Removing them will improve water quality keep your soil healthy. "Invasive plants remove moisture and nutrients from soil that native plants need to thrive," says Kristina Williams, Finance and Operations Director at Heartland Conservation Alliance.
5. Start Planting
Whether you’re planting a tree in your front yard or creating a whole garden, planting at home helps filter the air and fight the effects of climate change. If a big landscaping project seems intimidating, start small with an herb garden.
6. Invest in Reusables
Buy reusable coffee cups, drinking straws, tote bags and other household items to cut back on unnecessary trash. As an added bonus, many coffee shops are happy to offer a discount when you use your reusable mug instead of a single-use disposable cup.
7. Donate Instead of Tossing
Spring is a great time to go through your closets, attic and storage spaces to declutter old clothes and home goods. Donating to a local charity instead of throwing items out is a great way to give back to both your community and the environment.
8. Consume Less Meat
Make a conscious effort to ditch meals that include meat a few times a week. The high demand for meat creates an excessive strain on environmental resources, so reducing your consumption can lower greenhouse emissions and make a positive impact on the planet over time.
Local Organizations Making a Difference: Partnerships That Better the Environment
We're proud to partner with organizations who clean up, protect and maintain the environment, in addition to educating the public on the importance of sustainability.
Heartland Conservation Alliance
Heartland Conservation Alliance protects, restores and cares for natural areas in the Kansas City region. Founded in 2012, their primary goal has always been connecting people to nature. To reach this goal, they regularly host community cleanups to prevent illegal dumping and conserve local green spaces.
Neponset River Watershed Association
The Neponset River Watershed Association is a grassroots, member-supported conservation group that’s been working since 1967 to clean up and protect the Neponset River, its tributaries and surrounding watershed lands across 14 towns in the Boston area. The Neponset River Watershed is home to more than 330,000 residents and a drinking water source to 120,000 people.
Neponset River Watershed hosts an annual Earth Day River Cleanup event covering 12 different locations, which Budget Dumpster is proud to support.
Missouri River Relief
Missouri River Relief is a community volunteer and equipment-based nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people to the Missouri River through hands-on river cleanups, educational events and stewardship activities. Since 2001, Missouri River Relief has engaged 22 communities and more than 31,000 volunteers in river cleanups, student camps, plantings and restoration projects.
Budget Dumpster first partnered with Missouri River Relief in 2016 for a cleanup in Kansas City. Most recently, we donated dumpsters to their river cleanups in St. Louis last summer and will continue to support their efforts as needed.
The Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation
Blue Ocean Society works to protect marine life in the Gulf of Maine through research, education and inspiring action. Founded in 2001 by two whale watch naturalists, their goal is to share open ocean research with the public, educate communities about the human impact on marine life through hands-on experiences, and inspire people to take action through beach cleanups, pollution prevention campaigns and simple behavior changes.
Budget Dumpster sponsored World Ocean Week in 2020, including a virtual run, beach cleanups and more.
Adopt Planet-Friendly Habits
Embracing habits to reduce, reuse and recycle at home is easier than you’d think. Making small changes can have a positive impact on the environment not only on Earth Day, but year-round.
More Ways You Can Celebrate Earth Day Year-Round
Organize a Community Event
Even if you’re not able to get together with friends, you can still get your neighborhood involved in celebrating Earth Day this year. Use your community Facebook group to plan a week of events. Each family can clean up their own property and coordinate to clean up common spaces safely. From picking up litter on the street to cleaning up a local waterway, you can still make an impact. Use these guides to help plan your cleanup.
Request a Dumpster Donation for Your Cleanup
If you are planning a community or coastline cleanup event, Budget Dumpster can help. We partner year-round with nonprofits and community organizations who are working to better their neighborhoods by providing an in-kind dumpster donation.