Celebrate Earth Day Every Day!

We all know to turn off the faucet when we brush our teeth and turn out the lights when we leave a room. We know not to leave our cars running and to make our own coffee ... in a coffee pot. We know we should use reusable water and coffee bottles, and we shun plastic bags at any store, opting to use our own. We do all these things, and we are making a difference. Now it's time to do more! 

Here are some fresh ideas to celebrate Earth Day every day in Rockland County! I've even included some special ones just for kids! Choose one or two then come back for more!

Adults

1. ​Don't throw those used batteries in the trash! Or that tv, medicine, lightbulb, computer, paint, or cell phone! Rockland County residents have access Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with some special weekends, to the Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Facility, located at 35 Firemen's Memorial Drive in Pomona, NY. It's as easy as showing up with your stuff! Click here for more information.
2. Papers of all kinds filling your house? Too many sensitive materials to shred at home? Rockland County residents are offered several FREE secure paper shredding events every year. There is a three banker-box limit per car, and shredding is on a first-come, first-served basis. All events are from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, but get there early! I've been turned away at 8:30 a.m.! The next one is Saturday, April 29 at Germonds Park, located at 165 Germonds Road in West Nyack, NY. Future dates will be posted on our events calendar. Click here for more details.
3. Fix broken appliances and electronics instead of buying new ones. Head over to YouTube and search the model number of your item. More than likely, you'll find a step-by-step video teaching you to make your own repairs! Empower yourself!
4. Couldn't fix that appliance? Have scrap metal or car batteries hanging around? Get cash on the spot from Teplitz metal scrappers, located at 108 West Nyack Road in Nanuet, NY. Click here for more information.
5. Maintain your vehicle so it will last ... and pass yearly emissions testing. Keep that car until it's a classic!
6. Bonus ... invite your friends and family to subscribe to Macaroni Kid New City-Nyack, your friendly hometown ECO-friendly e-newsletter!

Kids

1. Recycle your completed, checked homework and school work, unless it is something your teacher encourages you to keep.
2. Carry a reusable lunchbox, lunch and snack containers, water bottle, metal fork and spoon, and cloth napkin. Aim for a no-waste lunch! The options are endless!
3. Plant bee and butterfly gardens with the help of an adult. Help the bees and butterflies spread pollen to all our gardens!
4. Trying out a new sport or instrument? Want some new (to you) Legos or a dollhouse? How about a bike or snow board? Scour Craigslist, eBay, yard sales, and thrift shops for what you desire! Most items will be gently used ... and sometimes new!
5. Clean up after yourself at the playground, park, carnival, street fairs, beach, campground, and ball fields. Make the space better for the next person. Set the example!
6. Bonus ... return wayward worms to the soil!