Did you know the first Earth Day was in 1970?  Happy 40!  The 20 year olds that began the movement are now 60. It was U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin who originated the idea for Earth Day. The Earth Day movement swept across college campuses at the same time it was losing momentum for the Vietnam War.

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Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the earth’s environment.  As a member of the Interior Redecorators Network, we practice green techniques everyday in our design work.  We are actually the pioneers of one day decorating and redesign and the original green decorating company.  We are proud using what people already own in their home as the foundation to create a fresher, updated, more elegant look, without spending a lot of money.

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Now, there are a number of things that are easy to do on a daily basis to decrease your carbon footprint and help mother earth. Here are a few good suggestions from Ode Magazine:

1. Reduce

Less is more. This “rule” applies to not only living sustainably but just living. Numerous studies have shown that those who focus more on experiences & hobbies than what they buy or consume are exponentially happier. Smile and walk away from that new pair of shoes or MP3 player – try taking a walk, painting a picture, knitting a scarf, practicing yoga, or taking part in any hobby that brings you joy. Our new motto: do more, buy less. Check out the great blog, Mnmlist , for more ideas & advice on living simpler.

2. Reuse

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But what if it is “broke”? Then fix it! You may not see yourself as the DIY type, but thanks to the internet & your local library, there is an ever-growing collection of easy-to-follow guides (like Instructables to fixing or re-purposing just about anything you can get your hands on. Still hesitant? Team up with a friend – that’s what they’re for, isn’t it?

On another note, buying reusable items and, well, reusing them can save hundreds of thousands of tons of trash from ending up in our landfills every year. Even worse, much of said trash is made from non-biodegrable materials (a.k.a. it isn’t going anywhere). Think of the items you use on a daily basis: grocery bags, water bottles, coffee cups, lunch bags, napkins, paper towels – they all have a reusable alternative that can be easily washed and used for years. Consider replacing such frequently used items with stylish & functional alternatives: canvas bags, stainless steel water bottles, travel mugs, lunch totes, cloth napkins, and microfiber cleaning clothes … just to name a few.

3. Recycle

The last of a now-infamous green living trifecta, it is certainly the most popular. What’s easier than throwing your trash in a different bin & waving it goodbye? We’ve all learned by now that there is now “away” – all our trash & recycling ends up somewhere. Surprisingly, only about 28% of the waste in the USA is recycled. If you aren’t recycling, start. If you are recycling, visit Earth911 to find out the long list of items that can be recycled (batteries, printer cartridges, most electronics … etc.), along with where to take them.

7. Eat meat-free once a week

The concept is simple – one day a week, don’t eat any meat or fish. Pretty straightforward, no? Before you rebuff, saying it is just “impossible” for you to do, how would you know if you’ve never tried? The Meat Free Monday campaign has become a worldwide phenomenon, with many celebrity supporters and unique recipes. Simply eating less meat means better health for you and the planet, thanks to a reduction in pollution from animal farms.

What is your favorite way to conserve resources? How has going (even just a little) green changed your mind & overall lifestyle?