April 22nd is Earth Day, which is a global movement dedicated to raising awareness about the state of our planet and protecting the environment. The first Earth Day was back in 1970, and now over 193 countries around the globe participate annually.

Here are some simple ways you can help by making your routine a little greener:

Participate in Edmonton’s Earth Day Spring Clean-Up

 

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This year the City of Edmonton, through the Capital City Clean-Up has teamed up with Waste Free Edmonton to organize a city-wide garbage clean-up event on Earth Day.

“We think it’d be an excellent way for people to get outside while safely social distancing. Clean-ups offer a sense of community, land stewardship, and belonging for everyone involved. Together we can celebrate our wonderful city and our planet!”

For more information on how to participate, click here!

 

Lower your thermostat

According to Statistics Canada, regulating the temperature in your house can save energy and save you money. Lowering your thermostat for a minimum of 8 hours at a time can knock down your heating bill.

“Using a daytime winter temperature of 22°C as the benchmark, setting the temperature at night to 18°C results in a 6.5% savings in natural gas and 0.8% reduced electricity consumption, while setting the temperature to 16°C at night and when the dwelling is unoccupied during the day resulted in a 13% reduction in the amount of gas used and 2.3% savings in the amount of electricity used.”

Or if you want it automatically regulated, you can also consider looking into a smart thermostat.

 

Remember your reusable bags

We’ve all been there, you get to the grocery store and realize you forgot your cloth bag and will have to get plastic. Which is not great for the environment and it costs you money! Instead, keep your reusable bags somewhere on your way out, for example near the front door, in a basket in your coat closet, by your keys, or in the car.

 

Wash your laundry in cold water

When doing your laundry, 90% of the energy that’s used by the machine is spent heating up your water. Which means switching to cold water is a huge power saver, plus according to BC Hydro, “washing in cold water will save up to $70 in electricity costs over the year.” So again this one is good for the environment and your wallet! Plus, cold water helps with colour bleeding so it’ll prevent your whites from turning pink, and your clothes won’t fade as fast.

 

Unplug your electronics

Another good way to save save energy is to make sure you’re unplugged, because even if your appliances or electronics aren’t on, they’re still using power. Which means even if you’re not brewing up your morning cup of joe, as long as that coffee maker is plugged in, it’s still using electricity. The same goes for that phone charger by your nightstand too!

 

Filed under: Earth Day, YEG Events