Sarah Nigbor

If you know me, you know I’m not a big fan of Spring. The seesaw weather is frustrating. Hot and muggy one day, sleeting and freezing the next. Make up your mind, Mother Nature! However, I am a big fan of Earth Day/Week. It’s a wonderful reminder each year that we each need to do our part to keep our planet in good health.

Gov. Tony Evers released a proclamation kicking off Earth Week, urging all Wisconsinites to take action around their own homes and communities to reduce waste, recycle, conserve water and take small steps that can have a big impact on helping protect and conserve our natural resources. And let’s not forget about Arbor Day, which is April 25.

“From the 12 Native Nations in Wisconsin that have been stewards of the land since long before Wisconsin became a state to Wisconsin’s farmers and producers to hunters, anglers and outdoor recreational enthusiasts, Wisconsin has a long and proud history of environmental stewardship and conservation,” Evers said.

Former Wisconsin Governor and U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day in 1970 to raise awareness about air and water pollution. Earth Day is now observed around the world.

We can all do our part to celebrate Earth Week and make changes. Here are some ideas:

Reduce food waste at home: According to the DNR, wasted food is the largest component of trash in our state. In 2020, an estimated 615,500 tons of wasted food and 238,500 tons of food scraps were added to Wisconsin landfills. When food waste breaks down in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Making small changes to how food is handled at home can reduce waste and save money over time.

We can reduce food waste by taking inventory at home before going shopping, planning meals, making a grocery list and tracking excess. We can also compost our food scraps, which keeps them out of the landfill and replenishes the soil with nutrients.

Plant native plants and trees: Native plants provide food for insects, birds, bats, small mammals, and other wildlife.

Refresh your recycling knowledge: It’s important to know which items can be recycled and how to recycle them correctly as some items can cause serious problems at recycling facilities that are not designed to handle them. Many of these can be recycled at drop-off sites but should not go in curbside recycling bins or carts. These items include:

• Plastic bags, plastic film, and plastic wrap; 
• Batteries and electronics; and 
• Light bulbs. 

Recycle old electronics: Some electronics, including TVs, laptops, and cell phones, are made out of valuable materials that can be reused through recycling. Others contain hazardous materials that can be harmful to human health and pollute the environment if not properly managed. Because of this, many electronics can no longer be put in the trash and must be reused, recycled, or managed as hazardous waste. Many communities hold free or low-cost electronics collection events this time of year.

Fix a leak: Water conservation matters. I was shocked to learn the United States wastes nearly one trillion gallons of water each year due to household leaks.

Try these water-protecting, money-saving ideas to stop water waste in your household:

• Check your meter over a period when water is not being used. If it goes down, you probably have a leak;
• Tighten your showerhead. Ensuring a tight connection between the showerhead and pipe stem can reduce water use by up to 500 gallons a year;
• Inspect outdoor faucets and irrigation systems each spring to ensure frost or winter freezing did not damage the pipes; and
• Reach out to experts if you cannot fix or locate a leak.

Happy Earth Week! Let’s get out there and help our planet, any way we can. Every little bit helps.