Earth Day Friendly Finds

Every year, on the 22nd of April, people around the world ban together for Earth Day, aka Earth Action Day. While this year’s theme is OUR POWER, OUR PLANET™, and is focused on uniting everyone around renewable energy resources with the intention of tripling the planet’s clean energy usage in the next five years, there are numerous actions we all can take to benefit the planet. This article covers employing renewable energy resources, as well as a variety of friendly finds for Earth Day.

Employing Renewable Energy

One of the first steps you can take is to educate yourself on some of the energy sources currently in use around the globe and the impact each may have on the planet.

Then, you can figure out how to employ one or more renewable energy sources in your own life. For example, you can get solar panels for your home or to naturally heat your water. You can invest in solar lighting for your yard as an eco-friendly way to illuminate your outdoor areas without having to tap into the energy grid.

For those who might want to opt for being completely off-grid, especially those with a running stream or flowing water source on their property, a micro-hydro system could be the answer.

Friendly Finds for Earth Day

If you’re already employing renewable energy resources, or your simply looking for additional ways to help the planet this Earth Day, let me share some of the friendly finds I’ve recently been able to try out. Now, these finds don’t necessary relate to clean energy. They can, however, help you reduce your dependence on plastic, minimize waste and/or help you eliminate harmful chemicals from being used in your home. All of which are beneficial to the planet’s health.

Please note, while this article contains a variety of items, each of my own choosing, it also contains some affiliate links from Amazon and other sites from which we may earn a commission on any qualifying purchase made. In addition, some of the products listed here were provided to me (at no cost) to see if the product was one I wished to review or share with readers. Not all products made this list. 

Shampoo & conditioner bar set

First we have a shampoo and conditioner bar set. This rice water protein bar set is from Kitsch and what’s nice about their products is the packaging is made from recycled paper. There are no plastic containers used and it is vegan, cruelty-free. It also contains no parabens, phthalates, sulfates or artificial fragrances.

If you do want to get this product, I recommend also getting a shower tray capable of holding at least two bars. You could get a tray with three bars: one for a shampoo bar, one for a conditioner bar and one for a bar of soap.

Next Landfill-Friendly Pet Waste Bags

Next up we have the NEXT landfill-friendly rolled pet waste bags from Doggy Do Good. These bags are a good alternative to traditional pet waste bags. What I like about these is the company makes the bags using 65% post-consumer recycled plastic. The bags are also engineered to significantly reduce their own lifespan. So, instead of taking 500 years to decompose in a landfill, potentially leaving microplastics in its wake, these landfill-friendly pet waste bags actually attract microbes to help speed decomposition sans microplastics.

In addition, the bags are easy to open, leak-proof and unscented. They don’t cost any more than you pay already, but are better for the planet.

Earth Brite Natural All Purpose Cleaner

Another friendly find is this natural, multipurpose cleaner from Earth Brite. This product is good for those people who don’t necessary want to make their own cleaning products, but still want non-toxic. You won’t need to use gloves with this cleaner because it is clay-based, chemical-free, cruelty-free, biodegradable and gentle on skin.

I chose the citrus-scented cleaner, but you can get the original or lavender cleaners, as well. It doesn’t take a lot to do a good job at cleaning and polishing almost any surface. One container will last quite awhile. I do wish the container was made of a different material/product but, otherwise, the product itself is quite eco-friendly.

OceanFoam Tidal roller

If you happen to be in the market for a muscle massage foam roller, I recommend this roller from Oceanfoam™. It is made using algae and recycled materials. What this means is while you are using it to help ease stress, aid in muscle recovery and improve flexibility, you can do so knowing it fits right in to your eco-conscious lifestyle.

It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. I was able to test out the full size, 20″ tidal roller, as well as the 11″ ripple roller. I like them both, but feel the full size does a better job overall. The ripple is great for calves and feet, though.

Another benefit of this company is through their use of algae-based materials, collaboration on ocean plastic cleanup and carbon offsetting, they are now officially Carbon Positive. This is a testimony to their sustainability efforts and commitment to helping the planet.

Microgreens Growing kit

Microgreens are a very simple, yet effective, way to get a concentrated source of vitamins and nutrients. They can be quite tasty, too. Now, using this microgreens growing kit from ZestiGreens, you can have microgreens growing in your kitchen all year long.

With this kit, you can grow your microgreens in a bamboo box using a variety of USDA organic seeds, a hydroponic insert, mats and a dishwasher-proof, reusable tray. You don’t need soil, although you can use it if you wish. The kit is self-watering (after you initially add water), which makes growing your own about as easy as can be.

Speaking Up for the Planet

While buying eco-friendly products, and opting to purchase from companies focused on sustainability, is a definite way to help the planet, you need to speak up for it, as well. So, this Earth Day, take a few minutes out of your day and speak up for nature. Speak up for the planet you call home. The Nature Conservancy has a few ways you can do just that. Pick one, or more, and pledge your commitment.

Join us, and more than a billion others around the planet, to celebrate Earth and recommit to living a greener life.