KVUE-TV Project Green KVUE.com

What Is Earth Day?

Earth Day falls every year on April 22, in celebration of the importance of the environment and to encourage action. It was initiated in 1970 by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, who started a “teach-in” to protest the government’s environmental ignorance. This eventually led to legislation including the Environmental Policy Act (1969), the Clean Air Act (1970), the Clean Water Act (1977) and fuel efficiency standards for automobiles.

How is Recycling Involved?

Recycling is one of the easiest ways for people to take action on behalf of the environment, a way to Make Every Day Earth Day™. Recycling reduces the amount of waste in landfills, and prevents hazardous materials from leaking into our soil and water systems. Consider the following:

• The average person generates 4.5 pounds of trash every day
• The EPA estimates that 75 percent of solid waste is recyclable, while only about 30 percent is
• As of 2006, there were approximately 8,660 curbside recycling programs
• An aluminum can is recycled and back on the grocery shelf to be purchased again in as little as 60 days; a glass bottle takes as little as 30 days
• One gallon of improperly disposed motor oil can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water

Earth Day Opportunities

Earth Day is a day to stop and think about your affect on the environment and what you can do to help protect it. One of the best ways to do that is by properly disposing of the products in your life. Here’s how:

• Start a recycling program in your home, office or school
• Shop for products made from recycled content
• Create a compost pile for your food scraps
• Recycle your obsolete electronics
• Properly dispose of your household items

For additional Earth Day ideas, check out:

• Earth Day Volunteer Opportunities
• Earth Day Worldwide Events
• Earth Day Canada
• Earth Day Groceries Project
• Earth Day in Your Neighborhood