5 Frugal Ways To Support Earth Day

April 22 marks the 45th anniversary of Earth Day, and people around the globe will be volunteering, protesting and educating others for the cause. Wednesday offers the perfect opportunity to help improve the health of our planet and it doesn’t have to cost a ton of money. Here are some fun, frugal ways to celebrate Earth Day.

Plant a Garden

There are so many advantages to planting a garden: Plants reduce carbon dioxide in the air, produce oxygen and help promote a healthy lifestyle. Regardless of whether you plant a backyard vegetable garden, grow a patio herb collection or contribute to a community garden, you’ll be making strides toward a healthier planet and a healthier you. Plus, growing plants and veggies means you’re in charge of how your food is grown.

When you shop at the grocery store, it’s hard to know which products are grown using chemical pesticides and growth hormones. Replacing those chemicals with natural pesticides and fertilizers is much better for the environment. And the best part: It will reduce your grocery bill. There will be a small initial investment to grow your own vegetables and herbs, but it pays off in the long run. If you use composting materials, you won’t even have to buy fertilizers. And when your plants start yielding food, you won’t have to buy as much at the grocery store. Once you’ve had your garden for long enough, it will be paying for itself.

Throw a Party

Yes, you read that correctly. You can contribute to Earth Day by partying. Many cities hold Earth Day festivals and celebrations. It’s a great chance to meet like-minded people, learn something new and contribute to environmentally conscious companies — all while having fun. I found my city’s festival simply by typing Earth Day Austin into a search engine, but there are many ways to find events in your area this week. Meetup.com is one of my favorite websites to search for local events, and many cities have websites solely dedicated to informing locals about events.

Change a Habit

One of the cheapest ways to contribute to Earth Day is to simply change a habit. It’s easier than you think. Are there options to recycle in your city? Buy a $10 trash bin, and start separating your plastics, aluminum and glass from the rest of your trash. If the trash and recycle bins are next to each other, you’ll develop a new habit in no time with minimal effort. And hey, you won’t have to take out the trash as often. There are other habits you can change with little effort, including turning of the air conditioning when you’re not home, taking shorter showers, and swapping out your plastic K-cups for a reusable one. You can also support environmentally friendly companies by buying their products over other products that might not be as Earth-friendly. If you can make small changes in your day that add up to a healthier planet, why not take a few minutes to do so?

Reevaluate Shopping Habits

Speaking of environmentally-friendly companies, you can decrease your ecological footprint throughout the year by taking a day to evaluate the products you use. We have so many choices in the brands available to us, and many of them aren’t environmentally conscious. Do the research to find out which products you can start buying from more sustainable resources. Brands like Seventh Generation, method and Patagonia are great examples of companies that produce products you can substitute for your current purchases. And it doesn’t stop at everyday purchases. Look for environmentally friendly products when you shop for appliances (like refrigerators and dishwashers), cleaning supplies and vehicles.

Donate

If all else fails, you can always donate directly to the Earth Day Network. It’s quick and easy to donate online, and you can decide how much you want to spend. We all know life gets a little hectic. If you don’t have the time to plant a garden or attend a festival, simply share some wealth for the cause.

For more information, visit EarthDay.org. Have a very happy Earth Day.

Amber Sager is the PR Girl for Offers.com. She prides herself on leading a fun, frugal lifestyle.