Throughout the city, neighborhood cleanups and other service activities to beautify the city and restore its natural environment will take place. Events for the day include an e-cycling and household hazardous waste collection event hosted by the Department of Public Works as well as numerous opportunities to volunteer.

Volunteer outside – a HANDS-ON way to give back to the land!
There are many organizations to volunteer with to give back to the land!

ServeDC: The DC Commission on National and Community Service strengthens and promotes the District of Columbia's spirit of service through partnerships, national service, and volunteerism

Student Conservation Association : A nationwide force of high school, college-age and adult volunteers committed to protecting and preserving the environment

Take Pride in America: Day-long volunteer projects

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club – Maintain the Appalachian Trail or spend your vacation volunteering for the environment!

American Hiking Society

Sierra Club

Charity Guide Suggestions

Only have 15 minutes?  You can still make an impact!

Volunteer Match: Get matched with a specific project that interests you

Idealist.org: More volunteer opportunities

Buy locally!

Buying local products through locally-owned businesses generates more than three times as much local spending as purchasing from big box retailers, and saves the millions of gallons of fuel used to ship products across the country and the world. Purchase a share in community supported agriculture (www.eco-local.org/DC/LF_farms_12.htm , www.ecostewardsalliance.org/choices/index.php?t=35 ), shop at farmers’ markets (www.freshfarmmarket.org), co-ops, or supermarkets that clearly mark whether produce was grown locally, shop at locally-owned businesses, and/or join a Localvore group (www.takomaeatlocal.blogspot.com).

Center for a New American Dream Resource Guide for Buying Wisely in Washington, DC

www.newdream.org/buyingwisely/index.php

Drop off your old electronics and chemicals at the Spring Household Hazardous Waste and E-Cycling event:

On April 21, from 9 am - 3 pm, DC residents will be able to recycle household chemicals (paint, auto fluids, strong cleansers, pesticides, mercury-containing items, etc.) and electronics (computers, home theatre equipment), at no charge.

DC Department of Public Works, Office of Recycling

www.recycle.dpw.dc.gov

Recycle Around the Home

Learn how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle materials and decrease the amount and toxicity of the waste produced in and around your home.

www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/home.htm

Summertime is time to compost

You can recycle all year long but in the summer there are special things that you can do in your yard such as composting. Backyard composting of certain food scraps and yard trimmings can significantly reduce the amount of waste that needs to be managed by the local government or put in a landfill. When properly composted, these wastes can be turned into natural soil additives for use on lawns and gardens, and used as potting soil for house plants. Finished compost can improve soil texture, increase the ability of the soil to absorb air and water, suppress weed growth, decrease erosion, and reduce the need to apply commercial soil additives.

Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response

www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/reduce/catbook/tip10.htm

By recycling an aluminum can, you save 95% of the energy, 95% of the emissions and 95% of the effluents had the aluminum been created from raw materials. Think of it this way—In 2005 worldwide, the energy equivalent of over 30 million barrels of crude oil was conserved through the recycling of aluminum beverage cans. Unique to the aluminum can is its ability to become a can again and again indefinitely—recycling at its finest.

Can Manufacturers Institute

www.cancentral.com

Rethink what you buy and use

Reduce the amount of waste that you create and save money by using reusable products. Buy goods that use less, recyclable or biodegradable packaging. Look for the recycle symbol, three arrows that form a triangle.Choose products that are reusable. Pack your lunch in reusable containers rather than in disposable bags. Enjoy an environmentally friendly picnic with reusable flatware, silverware and containers. Use washable cloth napkins rather than paper.When you visit your favorite coffeehouse, bring along a refillable mug.

Earth Day Network

www.earthdaynetwork.org

Use reusable bags instead of plastic bags when shopping

We use over 380 billion plastic bags yearly, 100 billion of which are plastic shopping bags. Only 0.6% of shopping bags are recycled. (Worldwatch Institute). Plastic bags litter the landscape and kill wildlife that mistake them for food. Use a tote or backpack to carry purchased items instead, and recycle clean plastic bags at a supermarket. Note: Lighter bags are recyclable; heavier ones from retail stores are not.

Eco-Coach

www.eco-coach.com

Use your paper twice

When it comes to paper usage, rather than recycling paper that has only been used on one side, send it through the printer or copier again. Your paper can last you twice as long. And make sure to purchase paper with high post-consumer recycled content.

Earth Day Network

www.earthdaynetwork.org

Other Resources:

Department of Public Works

http://dpw.dc.gov

Department of Public Works, Office of Recycling

http://recycle.dpw.dc.gov

Office of the Clean City

http://occc.eom.dc.gov

Co-op America

www.coopamerica.org