Monday, April 22, is Earth Day! Together, we can help reduce plastic pollution and cut plastic use to create a healthier world. Families can help with the Planet vs Plastics campaign by learning about recycling and the use of reusable items, dedicating time and energy to cleaning waste, planting trees and gardens, learning about climate change, volunteering in our local communities, and more.

Here are some examples of how to get involved and act:

• Reduce plastic pollution and learn about the harmful consequences of single-use plastics. Plastics clog our waterways, litter our communities, and present risks to the human body. Make the switch to a BPA-free, reusable bottle today, carry reusable bags when shopping, or use reusable eating utensils when eating meals! Learn more about plastic pollution here: https://www.earthday.org/campaign/end-plastic-pollution/#plastictracker

  

  
   
• Plant and protect pollinator gardens. Native plants help pollinators, like butterflies, birds, and bees, spread seeds and pollen that help plant species reproduce, support the survival of wildlife, and support our food system. We need pollinators to fertilize plants used in food production, fight invasive species, and preserve natural habitats and diverse ecosystems.
  • Learn why pollinators are important here: https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-pollinating-bats-birds-bees-butterflies-and-other-animals-important
  • Many GCPS schools have their own pollinator gardens; you can get your child involved and create a pollinator garden at home. Start here: https://www.earthday.org/lessons-from-the-garden/
  • Find a pollinator garden toolkit here: https://www.earthday.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/POLLINATOR-GARDEN-TOOLKIT-2020.pdf
     
• Fight fast fashion by learning about, and investing in sustainable fashion. Sustainable fashion includes manufacturing clothing, shoes, and accessories with renewable energy sources, utilizing materials that can be repaired, reused, and recycled, transporting goods in ways that reduce environmental impact, and ending the unethical treatment of fashion industry employees. Learn more about sustainable fashion here: https://www.earthday.org/campaign/sustainable-fashion/ 
• Talk about climate change and environmental literacy with your child. Find fact sheets about food and agriculture, conservation, and pollution here: https://www.earthday.org/factsheets/
• Did you know that Gwinnett is a Certified Platinum Green Community? Learn about Sustainable Gwinnett and find information about recycling, water conservation, and more here: https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/aboutgwinnett/sustainablegwinnett
• Attend, or volunteer at Gwinnett’s annual Earth Day event on Saturday, April 27: https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/aboutgwinnett/sustainablegwinnett/events  
• Join Gwinnett Water Resources and Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful in celebrating Earth Day this year by partaking in the DIY Earth Day Workday on Saturday, April 20. Learn more here: https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0024&console_type=event
   
• Attend free Earth Day activities, programs, and workshops held at various branches of the Gwinnett County Public Library. Some events require registration. Find the full events calendar here: https://gwinnettpl.libnet.info/events
  • Register to attend a Family Earth Day Craft at the Collins Hill Branch: https://reserve.gwinnettpl.org/event/10280407
  • Attend a Small Space Gardening event at the Duluth Branch: https://reserve.gwinnettpl.org/event/10224977
  • Learn about Earth Day at the Norcross Branch: https://reserve.gwinnettpl.org/event/10280392  
  • Join a STEM Science Edible Water Bottles event at the Five Forks Branch: https://reserve.gwinnettpl.org/event/10151631
  • Mindfully Celebrate Earth Day at the Lawrenceville Branch: https://reserve.gwinnettpl.org/event/10151621
  • Create Seed Bombs as a fun way to support wildflower populations at the Dacula Branch: https://reserve.gwinnettpl.org/event/10291422
  • Join an eco-friendly initiative to promote greener spaces and sustainable gardening practices with upcycled materials at the Buford-Sugar Hill Branch: https://reserve.gwinnettpl.org/event/10280383
  • Celebrate Earth Day at the Collins Hill Branch: https://reserve.gwinnettpl.org/event/10272318
  • Register to celebrate and learn about Earth Day with Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful at the Snellville Branch: https://gwinnettpl.libnet.info/event/10366385  
     
• Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful is a local affiliate of the national non-profit, Keep America Beautiful, that specializes in connecting people and resources for a Sustainable Gwinnett. Learn more, and find links to volunteer, donate, and go green here: https://gwinnettcb.org/
• Live Healthy Gwinnett launched in 2014 as a partnership between Gwinnett Parks and Recreation and Eastside Medical Center. Live Healthy Gwinnett is designed to encourage and engage Gwinnett County residents to invest in personal wellness. Live Healthy Gwinnett manages various community programs and events, including community garden initiatives and food forests. Find Live Healthy Gwinnett programs, events, and volunteer opportunities: https://www.livehealthygwinnett.com/
• Connect with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby Gwinnett County Chapter: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/chapters/GA_Gwinnett_County/
• Find the Earth Day Action Toolkit here: https://www.earthday.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/EarthDay-2024-Toolkit-March-12th-Update.pdf