Every April 22nd, we as a global community celebrate Earth Day. Originally founded by a US Senator in 1970, Earth Day is now celebrated across the world. Whether you’re a champion of environmentalism or just looking for new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle, observing Earth Day is a great way to get committed to taking care of our planet. 

Need some Earth Day ideas? No sweat! There are tons of ways to actively celebrate Earth Day. And the best part? None of these activities will break the bank. 

39 Earth Day activities on a budget

1. Leave your car at home

Walk, bike, or rely on public transit if you’re able to do so — another car off the road can help reduce your carbon footprint and minimize your contribution to greenhouse gasses. 

2. Conserve water 

Reduce the time you spend in the shower, turn off the lawn sprinkler system, and turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth. The less water you use, the more that stays in rivers, estuaries, and waterways! 

3. Organize a river cleanup

Unfortunately, refuse travels well by water — it can settle along riverbanks and cause issues for wildlife. Grab trash bags, gloves, and a few friends, and get to work! Remember to separate trash and recyclables. 

4. Eat vegan for a day 

Deforestation, soil degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions are all byproducts of the meat industry — trying a vegan diet for Earth Day can help you be mindful of these environmental factors. 

5. Eat local

Food miles add up, contributing to the climbing costs of food and also adding a carbon cost to your meal. Buying local means fewer resources expended from the farm to your table.

6. Go for a hike

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to take a stroll in your favorite park or trail and reconnect with nature?

7. Practice yoga outdoors

No matter if you’re a Hatha expert or new to practicing the ancient Indian discipline, get in touch with nature and work through poses and breathing exercises in the company of the great outdoors. 

8. Be kind to the bees

Support your pollinators — create a bee-friendly environment for your neighborhood, which could include planting local, native plants, providing them a water source, and ditching the pesticides. 

9. Bring some plants indoors

Consider grabbing some small houseplants to bring inside to improve the ambiance (and air quality) of your home. Here are a few different types of plants that thrive indoors. 

10. Donate old clothes

If you’ve got a closet full of clothes you don’t wear regularly, avoid contributing to the textile waste endemic and donate them to your local thrift store or charity. 

11. Go hunting (for plastic)

Organizing a neighborhood cleanup — or going out yourself — is a great way to celebrate Earth Day. Arm yourself with a trash bag and some gloves, and find refuse on roadsides, sidewalks, and parks. Dispose of the refuse appropriately and enjoy the beauty of nature. 

12. Recycle

So many recyclable items find their way into landfills due to improper disposal. Reacquaint yourself with your municipality’s recycling program and make sure your recyclables are reused — no more water bottles in the trash!

13. Skip the bird feeder

While building a bird feeder might seem like a nice, DIY way to bird watch, they can spread avian disease, encourage invasive species to outcompete local birds, and attract predators to your yard or home. Instead, take a nature walk and enjoy them in the wild.

14. Plant a tree

Trees help offset the carbon dioxide in the air and create oxygen for us to breathe — and they’re beautiful. Planting trees on Earth Day can leave a lasting impact for years to come!

15. Get involved with a local conservation organization

If you’re passionate about the environment, you can get involved with local conservationists and celebrate Earth Day ideals year round.

16. Start composting at home

Composting is a great way to recycle food scraps, yard trimmings, egg cartons (with labels removed), and other organic matter back into our environment. Learn how in the Environmental Protection Agency’s easy guide to home composting.

17. Start a vegetable garden

Nurture your green thumb and plant a vegetable garden. Growing your own produce reduces your environmental impact and can give you fresh veggies to enjoy all summer!

18. Teach children about Earth Day

Whether you’re a parent or teach children, it’s never too early to teach kids about environmentalism. Fun ways include Earth Day crafts, like pinecone art, a scavenger hunt for recyclables, reading Earth Day books, or going for a nature walk.

19. Change a few light bulbs

Using smaller lamps instead of large, overhead lights, turning off the lights when you leave the room, and opening your blinds for natural sunlight during the day are great ways to conserve energy. Don’t forget LED bulbs!

20. Eat more fruits and vegetables

The production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes generally results in a much lower emission of greenhouse gasses and has a lower carbon cost than meat or fish.

21. Dial back the A/C

Depending on your location, you can turn back the air conditioning or the heat to save energy and reduce your usage — this can lower your bill and the strain on the environment!

22. Get morning light

Ever been guilty of waking up to immediately check your email or scroll on Instagram? Instead, open those windows and bask in the natural light of the day — your circadian rhythm will thank you. 

23. Shop sustainably

Be mindful of where you purchase your clothing — fast-fashion companies are polluting the environment at an alarming rate. Instead, shop secondhand at local thrift shops or consignment stores, and look for upcycle products.

24. Buy what you need

When you throw away food, you also waste the resources it took to grow, harvest, and transport that food to the market. By buying what you need, you can be less wasteful, save money, and reduce your impact on the environment. 

25. Switch your home’s energy source

Get in touch with your local utility company and see if you can switch to a renewable energy source, like wind or solar.

26. Invest in energy-efficient appliances

If it’s time to replace your washing machine or refrigerator, look for an energy-efficient machine that uses less energy — you can look for an Energy Star label on the appliance.

27. Hand-wash and air-dry

Although not the most practical, you can hand-wash your laundry in (a clean) kitchen sink, and hang a clothesline in your backyard to air-dry your clothes. No outdoor space? Use your bathroom.

28. Buy an electric vehicle

More of a lifestyle investment than an Earth Day budget activity, purchasing an electric car will greatly minimize your carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions — and negate your gas budget!

29. Unplug unused appliances

Even if the “on” button isn’t engaged, appliances that are plugged in still use energy. Unplug appliances like hair dryers, coffee makers, and even computers when not in use!

30. Weatherize your home

Keeping your home insulated against the elements will lower your heating and air conditioning costs, allowing you to use less energy. Reseal windows and doors, insulate attics, and use door treatments to retain heat and A/C.

31. Don’t travel by plane

The less fuel we use to travel, the less carbon dioxide we contribute to the environment. Help prevent climate change while you save money on airfare!

32. Go for a bike ride

What better way to enjoy the beautiful spring weather and minimize your emissions than hopping on a bicycle and cruising around your neighborhood? We can’t think of one.

33. Clean up your local trail

While most parks enforce a pack-in pack-out rule, tons of hikers litter. Get hands-on and clean up your favorite trail of trash, debris, plastic bottles, and any other refuse.

34. Buy eco-friendly products

There are still tons of companies that operate without the environment in mind. Remove yourself from the equation by buying eco-friendly products, like compostable trash bags, goods made from recycled materials, and products with eco-friendly packaging.

35. Spend time at your local park

Just getting outside and observing the beauty of the natural world is a great way to celebrate Earth Day. We’re fortunate to live in a world full of natural beauty — get out there and connect with it.

36. Throw a concert

Environmentalism and music often go hand-in-hand. If you’re a musician, throw a small concert and offer people free admission with a donation to a local environmental agency.

37. Or just play music outside

Got an acoustic guitar? A tambourine? Even just your voice? Embrace your inner flower child, jump outside, and belt out a tune. Who knows, maybe you’ll get a regular jam session going! 

38. Plant some flowers

Flowers are beautiful, and they also encourage a healthy ecosystem, attract pollinators to a new habitat, and provide oxygen production and carbon absorption — today, and for future generations!

39. Dispose of household items responsibly

If you have old motor oil, leftover paint, or other environmentally hazardous materials to dispose of, make sure you throw them out responsibly. Get in touch with your local trash collector to learn how.