With Earth Day coming up on Apr. 22, now is the perfect time to try a different way of giving back to the environment rather than the typical recycling.
Clean-up trip
Going green is always more fun when you bring a friend or two. Destinations like the beach or hiking trails are popular places where you can bond with friends while picking up trash. Environmental Club President Senior Whitney Ngo enjoys this way of going green, especially when she finds something unexpected.
“You might even find something cool people throw away,” Ngo said. “After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
With just a few trash bags, contribute to the environment while doing a fun activity. If your friends are the competitive types, split up into teams and race to have the heaviest or fullest bag by the end of the day.
Upcycle your old items
Exercise your creativity by turning objects lying around at home into art or even something useful. Simple objects like cans, bottles and shoe boxes can be used as arts and crafts materials. Use glass bottles as vases instead of buying one from a store, and use styrofoam and old newspapers as cushioning for packaging fragile objects. Cut cereal boxes in half horizontally or diagonally to hold magazines and folders, and reuse canisters and jars to store office supplies such as thumbtacks, paperclips and pencils.
In fact, AP Environmental Science teacher and Environmental Club advisor, Mr. Scott Randles, reuses bowling balls and a statue of Beethoven as garden decor.
“There probably are many things around your home that may have a second chance at life as something other than its intended use,” Mr. Randles said. “They make for little surprises when you stumble over these things from time to time.”
Start a garden
Starting a garden may seem boring at first, but there’s a sense of accomplishment in putting something into the earth and making it your own. Plants also produce oxygen, which is valuable in bringing cleaner, fresher air to the environment. Plants vary in their demands, so research is essential. Be careful what you choose to grow as some require conditions that your backyard may not meet. Environment Club Vice President Senior Michelle Luong enjoys planting as a way of giving back to the environment.
“It depends on where you live, how much attention you’re willing to give and things like that,” Luong said. “For example, roses are really hard to grow. It’s really up to what you want.”
When planting, consider the area above and even below for the roots, particularly for trees which may vary in their spacial needs. Make sure you have sufficient space for tree roots which may grow straight down or spread out horizontally. Knowing each plant’s necessities is vital to proper growth.
You can purchase a packet of seeds at Home Depot for a couple of dollars or buy a potted plant for just a bit more. The San Gabriel Nursery and Florist is another local store that offers an array of plants.
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