On April 22nd, over a billion concerned citizens in 192 countries[1] began, or continued, their commitments to protecting the health and sanctity of the planet.

Earth’s atmosphere has undergone some dangerous changes from big challenges like global warming to everyday issues such as non-biodegradable waster and overconsumption of natural resources. There is also significant evidence that the planet is getting warmer, which has resulted in an increase of natural disasters like hurricanes and tornados. Also, many products not disposed of properly end up in rivers and oceans, polluting those environments and posing dangerous risks to animals. Earth Day is a time to remind us these problems are serious, and if nothing is done about them, they could be irreversible.

But there is a solution to helping save the planet, and luckily, it is one in which we can all take part. All-recycling-facts.com[2] offers up some simple ways in which we can all help save the planet:

  • Reduce the amount of items you consume
  • Reuse what you can
  • Recycle whenever possible

These three R-words are probably ones you’ve heard countless times before, but it is amazing how easy it is to practice them in real life.

Many cities now provide colored trash bins to homeowners in order to guide them towards separating waste from recyclable materials such as plastic, paper and aluminum. Additionally, homeowners can create compost – wetted lawn clippings and food scraps – that will break down naturally.

At the grocery store, items often have special messaging that let shoppers know their favorite products come from recycled or reused materials. If possible, stick to purchasing these products, or ones that were created naturally.

Reducing waste to help the Earth is even possible at the office. The world’s trees are being cut down at a drastic rate, so only print out documents if it is absolutely necessary. Energy consumption can be reduced by installing compact fluorescent light bulbs.

These tips are just the beginning. Once you start doing the little things, it becomes easy to do the big things. Even the smallest changes in your habits have the power to make a world of difference in the health of the planet.

Earth Day 2012 was a big success, and with a little learning on your part, you can help make Earth Day 2013 be the best one yet!