Here are some great ideas from our friends at the Environmental Protection Agency about how to serve the environment on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
1. Plant trees
Trees and other plants take carbon dioxide – a potent greenhouse gas that speeds up climate change – out of the air. They also help keep the air clean. Plant them in your yard and your neighborhood, and work with your town government, local school, and community groups to plant them around your community. Read up on the benefits.
2. Create a neighborhood compost pile
Food scraps and yard waste create up to 30 percent of household waste, and generate harmful greenhouse gases if they enter the landfill. Help your neighborhood act on climate by creating a shared compost pile. Here are some ideas to get you started.
3. Take action against asthma in your home and office
Americans spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, where allergens and irritants can help trigger asthma attacks. Read up on asthma triggers and find solutions to keep your family and co-workers healthy.
4. Fix water leaks in your neighborhood
The average household’s leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water a year. By fixing them, you can save as much as 10 percent on your water bill. Here’s a handy tip: If a family of four’s water bill shows they use more than 12,000 gallons per month, they probably have serious leaks. So help older or less handy neighbors seal up their leaks – then seal your own, too. Learn how!
5. Help your neighbors save energy
Spend the day helping your neighbors with simple projects to make their homes more energy efficient (or see if a local nonprofit could use your handiwork). They’ll save energy and money, too. If you need some ideas of where to start, try the ENERGY STAR Home Advisor. You can use it to create a prioritized list of energy efficiency improvement projects tailored specifically to your home.
6. Organize an e-recycling day for your neighbors
Most electronics cannot be simply placed in your household recycling bin. They contain chemicals that need to be disposed of with extra care. Organize an e-recycling day where your neighbors can drop off old computers, cords, cell phones, TVs and other electronic devices – then transport them to a local e-waste recycling station. Start by finding e-waste recycling stations in your state.