12 Ways to Celebrate the Earth in Nashville
We love seeing the community get excited about Earth, and there are so many great ways to take care of our planet.
Making big changes can often be difficult, but finding little habits to work on can build up over time creating a big impact.
Here is a list of things you can do to celebrate Earth Day and carry them with you into the rest of the year! Doing it all can be overwhelming, just look into one or two to focus on incorporating into your daily life. Once you’ve mastered it, come back to the list and give another one a try. We believe in you!
Start composting!
We’re not just saying it because it’s what we excel at, but it’s often cited as one of the easiest things to do for the Earth with a big impact.
Composting prevents methane from entering the atmosphere, which is what happens when food waste is in landfill conditions
Compost creates nutrient-dense soil that encourages strong, healthy plant growth
Compost can be used in construction projects and on riverbeds to help prevent erosion and runoff
Composting can feel complicated, but it is as easy as putting all of your food in a new bin.
Learn how we make composting as easy as taking out the trash
Go for a hike or a walk outside!
What better way to celebrate the Earth than being with Earth! Take some time to listen to birds and other sounds of the woods, feel the breeze, take in the colors. Go enjoy what you’re trying to care for, and get more motivated to keep it healthy. To find trails in the area, you can use this TN State Parks tool or an app like Alltrails
Support Sustainable Restaurants & Businesses
There are so many local organizations in Nashville that are implementing sustainable practices and we love supporting them! To see which of your favorite restaurants, coffee shops, and even venues have implemented sustainable practices like composting, check out our guide.
Air Dry your Clothes!
Dryers use a lot of heat, which takes a lot of energy. By air-drying clothes, we can reduce energy, which puts less pressure on the grid. While it may feel like an added chore, hanging up clothes on a drying rack or out in the sunshine can be more peaceful and take less time than most people realize.
Buy items Second-Hand
Working on a craft project? You can find just about anything you need at our local creative reuse store, Turnip Green Creative Reuse! As a non-profit organization, you pay what you can as a donation! If you have odd items you’re no longer using, they also accept items as donations. See how and review their list of approved items here.
Next time you need a new outfit, or want to go shopping, start at the thrift store! Clothes are easy items to find, and there is a huge variety of brands, styles and sizes available. Some thrift stores in the Nashville area include:
Southern Thrift
Goodwill
Buffalo Exchange
Plato’s Closet
Attend (or host) a sustainable event!
There are a lot of ways to get plugged into the sustainable community in Nashville. Whether that’s attending monthly roundtables like the ones hosted by Urban Green Lab, enjoying a beverage in a compostable cup at Fridays by the River, or one-off celebratory events like Nashville Earth Day, attending sustainable events is a great way to get inspired and celebrate the Earth with like-minded people.
If you want to host your own sustainable event, we make it easy with one-time compost collections!
ReUse!
There are little ways we might be making waste through the day that can be eliminated with reusable items. If you tend to get water bottles, consider bring a reusable water bottle with you to refill through the day. Do you stop at your local coffee shop every day on your way to work for your caffeine buzz? Consider a reusable travel mug for your coffee. Just hand it over to the barista, and they’re usually happy to use it. A few places even have a small discount for using your own mug!
Re-Fill your containers at places like The Good Fill!
So much trash comes from the containers for items we use over and over, but there are package free stores here that sell what you need without all of plastic packaging. The Good Fill is a great local store which has mastered this!
If you have a yard, consider gardening and growing food at home!
Gardening can be easy and fun once you learn some basic skills and get your compost soil amendment. If you have a little yard space with some good sunlight, spend some time outdoors and try to grow some food! Growing your own veggies can feel empowering, and an amazing way to connect with the Earth.
When possible, source local produce!
Since local food doesn’t travel as far, it has less “Food Miles”, an indicator of fuel used to get the produce to a community. Going to the farmers market or stores which offer locally sourced produce helps local farmers continue to thrive and ensures a stable food future for Tennesseans.
Commute by Bike, Bus or Carpool.
Cars can create a lot of waste, both into the atmosphere directly, but also through maintenance requirements. If you’re able to get somewhere on foot, consider giving it a try! It’s good for the environment, and for your health. If you have a bike, that can be a great way to get around as well! Public transit can sometimes feel a lot slower, but using the bus reduces car emissions, and gives you a chance to focus on something else other than driving. A great resource for local information for alternative commuting practices is Walk, Bike Nashville, check out their information here!
Reduce and Recycle.
We’ve already covered so many great ideas, but one of the best ways to prevent unnecessary waste is to reduce! Taking time to consider if an item is something you really need, or if it will get frequent use, is a great way to prevent ending up with something you may just dispose of later.
If something is necessary, try to recycle it. Make sure you’re recycling right by using Nashville’s Online Tool and App. You can also use a service like Just Glass for glass recycling.
Remember, the goal is not to do everything, all at once. It’s to find one or two things on this list that light you up, make you feel excited, and take that step! You’ll find it’s way easier and more personally sustainable to make small, incremental challenges that will end up making a big difference.