Have an eco-week

Instead of celebrating the earth just one day a year, expand your festivities into an entire week of environmentally friendly practices that will up your eco-awareness for the whole year.

Start a compost container on your kitchen counter to collect food scraps

Compost in a commercial facility or backyard container to keep soil-enriching matter out of landfills. If your city doesn’t have a municipal compost service, write to local legislators to express your support.

TRY: Full Circle Fresh Air Odor-Free Kitchen Compost Collector

Give up plastic straws

According to the National Park Service, Americans use 500 million drinking straws every day—and worse, the straws rarely make it into the recycling bin, often ending up as ocean trash. Instead of using a plastic straw every time you want a sip, carry along a reusable, washable, stainless-steel straw.

TRY: RSVP International Endurance Drink Straws

Make cleaner cleaners

Eschew synthetic, chemical-based all-purpose cleaners for a homemade one. Using a small funnel, pour ½ cup white vinegar, ½ cup water and 15 drops of lemon essential oil into a spray bottle. Simply give it a shake, and then spray down dingy surfaces such as porcelain sinks, mirrors and

linoleum. (Not recommended for granite or marble countertops.) Wipe clean.

TRY: NOW Essential Oils 100% Pure Lemon

Replace incandescent lightbulbs with longer-lasting, more efficient LED bulbs

According to EnergyStar.gov, LEDs use less energy than traditional lightbulbs and can last more than 13 years, making them a cost-effective choice.

Opt for a better detergent

Conventional laundry detergent can contain loads of scary ingredients, such as methanol and even formaldehyde (eek!), that score an “F” from the Environmental Working Group. Instead, choose from dozens of nontoxic options (often packaged in recyclable bottles) with ingredients like coconut oil, essential oils and enzymes to get clothes squeaky clean.

TRY: Boulder Clean Original Natural Laundry Detergent

Invest in the earth's future

Donate to a worthy group working hard to ensure clean water, air, land and communities for the future. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Ocean Conservancy and Sierra Club all advocate and promote important environmental legislation.

Take a trip to a farmers’ market

Buying food directly from nearby producers reduces the distance your food traveled (and thus CO² emissions) and supports responsible farming. Choose USDA certifi ed organic growers, or ask vendors about their sustainable practices. And be sure to bring your reusable grocery bag.

TRY: Baggu Upcycled Sail Bag