Celebrate Earth Day by Going Green

Earth Day is observed each year to celebrate nature and remind everyone of the importance of protecting the environment. In 1970, the year Earth Day was established, 20 million Americans demonstrated in cities across the country, lending support to such important milestones as the establishment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Air Act.

Over the years, Earth Day has become a global movement, celebrated in 192 countries. Over one billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the largest civic observance in the world, according to the Earth Day Network.

Greening Your Business
The following is a list of seven things you can do this Earth Day—and every day—to conserve water and energy, reduce waste and lower emissions:

1. Simply save energy.
   • Turn off lights and equipment when they are not in use; it's free and effective.
   • Enable power-management settings on computers and office equipment.
   • Adjust the thermostat to reduce energy use on nights and weekends.
   • Switch to high-efficiency LEDs lights and controls to save even more energy.
2. Print less. Do you really need to print that memo? Office workers generate nearly 40 pounds of paper each year. If you must print, use both sides of the paper and recycle it whenever possible.
3. Use reusable food containers. Reduce waste by bringing food to work in reusable containers. Provide employees with reusable dishes, silverware, and cups.
4. Reduce travel. Employee commuting and business travel uses energy and pollutes the air. Encourage staff to carpool, use public transportation, walk, or bicycle to work. Use video conferencing and other online tools for meetings or presentations instead of traveling by car or airplane.
5. Conserve water. Look for ways to conserve water at work. Use a sweeper instead of a hose to clean sidewalks and parking lots. Water landscaping at night when it is more effective and consider using weather- or moisture-sensing controls. Install low-flow toilets and check for leaks in faucets.
6. Join the loop. Encourage recycling throughout your facility; place clearly marked recycling bins in accessible places. Close the loop by purchasing office supplies, packaging, and other products made from recycled materials.
7. Team up. No one can do it alone. Start a Green Team to reduce waste and increase energy efficiency. For more information, see Bring Your Green to Work from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Holding an Earth Day event at your facility is a great way to encourage staff to go green and publicize your organization's commitment to the environment. See the Earth Day Network for more information.