Earth Day falls on April 22 this year, and it’s an excellent time to reflect on our habits and commit to making positive changes for the environment. There are many ways to make a difference, and Boulder is one of the cities leading the way in sustainability within the community. If you’re interested in honoring the Earth and doing your part to benefit our planet, here’s some inspiration for getting started:
Recycle With Eco-Cycle
Eco-Cycle is one of the nation’s oldest nonprofit Zero Waste organizations. Established in 1976 by citizens with a passion for conservation, Eco-Cycle now has a prestigious international reputation. Boulder joined Eco-Cycle early on in the process and became one of the first 20 cities to offer curbside recycling. If you have items that you’d like to recycle but aren’t sure where to drop them off, Eco-Cycle can help. Simply search the A-Z Recycling Guide on the site to learn more.
Use Ridwell to Reduce Waste
Many of us are fortunate to live a life of abundance. However, if we’re not mindful, many of our unwanted items will end up in the landfill. That’s where Ridwell comes in. This incredible service was founded by a dad hoping to build a brighter future for his son. Ridwell is community-based and makes it easy for members to responsibly dispose of a plethora of unwanted materials. Everything that you place in your Ridwell bags (from plastic film to batteries and beyond) will be recycled or reused locally. We’re so excited to have this exceptional service in our city, and we’d love to have more residents join the mission of creating a more sustainable future. Interested in learning more about how it works? Visit this site for more information.
Reduce Plastic Use
In addition to utilizing community resources such as Eco-Cycle and Ridwell, you can make a positive impact by reshaping your habits when it comes to plastic use. Plastic is everywhere, and it can be challenging to reduce your consumption. Committing to small changes can add up to make a significant difference, so consider taking the following actions:
- Take your own reusable cup when you order beverages from coffee shops.
- Choose shampoo and conditioner bars rather than traditional plastic bottles.
- Avoid plastic straws.
- Purchase dry goods such as pasta, rice, and cereal in bulk using your own containers.
With Earth Day on the horizon, it’s the ideal time to become more mindful of your carbon footprint. If you’d like to take steps to invest in sustainability, you can start by looking into the options highlighted here. Boulder is a vibrant community and we’re home to many residents and organizations that are committed to preserving the environment. If you’re ready to join the effort this Earth Day and beyond, living in Boulder makes it easy to get started.