Good afternoon and Happy Earth Day!

Wondering what you can actually do to minimize your impact on the Earth—without overhauling your entire life?

Good news: small, realistic changes add up. Here are simple ways to reduce waste, eat well, and feel good about it.

1. Plan your meals & pack your food

One of the biggest ways to cut waste? Eat at home more often.

When you grocery shop weekly, cook meals, and pack leftovers, you dramatically reduce packaging waste from takeout.

Think about it:

Fast food containers
Plastic utensils
Wrappers, bags, drink cups

👉 Nearly half of Americans eat fast food weekly—that’s a lot of waste.

Simple swap:
Pack lunch like this:

Leftovers in reusable containers
Salad in a bento box
Dressing in a small reusable cup
Real utensils from home

Everything gets washed and reused—zero trash.

2. Buy in bulk (and portion at home)

Convenience packs = more packaging.

Buying larger quantities and prepping at home:

Saves money
Reduces plastic waste
Helps with portion control

Great bulk staples:

Fruits & veggies
Nuts & seeds
Beans & grains
Rice & oats
Yogurt
3. Skip single-use water bottles

This is one of the easiest wins.

Invest in a reusable, BPA-free water bottle and bring it everywhere. Many now have built-in filters, making it even easier.

💡 One habit change = hundreds of bottles saved per year.

4. Go meatless once a week

You don’t need to eliminate meat completely to make an impact.

Even one meatless day per week can:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Lower water usage
Save money

Easy idea:
Whole grain pasta + homemade sauce + side salad + garlic toast
Simple, affordable, and satisfying.

5. Eat local whenever possible

Food that travels less = less environmental impact.

Support your local farmers markets or choose seasonal foods when shopping.

Bonus: local food is often fresher and more nutrient-dense.

6. Grow something (anything!)

You don’t need a full garden to make a difference.

Start small:

Herbs on your windowsill
Tomatoes in a pot
A small backyard garden

Even a little homegrown food reduces waste and connects you to what you eat.

🌱 Final thought

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”

Small steps matter. You don’t have to be perfect—just start somewhere.

Kelly

For upcoming programs, challenges and recipes, click here.