Five Ways to Celebrate Earth Day 2018

The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

Annually held on April 22, the theme for Earth Day 2018 is to end plastic pollution.

The world has not proven capable of properly managing the current amount of plastic waste, with the production of plastic predicted to increase three times in the next 25 years.

We know that micro-plastics are polluting our drinking water and the fish we eat, and also cause health problems. Littered plastic not only kills wildlife but affects the lives of more than 2 billion people living without waste collection.

While recycling plastic waste is important, it is not nearly enough, as many plastics can’t be efficiently recycled and will end up in the landfill or littering the planet, even in the most remote places. Also, some localities lack the most basic infrastructure to manage waste and to sort and recycle plastics. In short, it is much more important to focus on reducing the level of plastic consumption.

Here’s our list of five easy ways to celebrate Earth Day 2018:

• Say no to plastic straws.
• If you must use a plastic cup, reuse it.
• Avoid takeout food in polystyrene foam containers.
• No single use drinking bottles.
• Don’t accept plastic bags when shopping.