This week, Southridge is celebrating Earth Day with a week of activities meant to spread awareness and encourage participation in environmental action. Both the Junior School and Senior School have worked incredibly hard to implement special plans for this week; meatless lunch that the school Café has organized, special assembly announcements, environmental literacy and awareness, and a ‘lights out’ Earth Hour during the last period on Friday. 

Amidst all the projects and activities at school, there are also opportunities to make a difference from home - whether that’s through your own environmental activism or participating in what the school has organized. Earth Week is meant to show how everyone can make a difference and contribute to sustainability efforts. 

Whether you’re a member of the environmental club in either school, a teacher hoping to implement environmental learning in class, or a parent wishing to do their part, I hope this message and these tips help you think more sustainably!

How can I take action from home? Here’s a collection of easy environmental tips and tricks…

• Be aware of electricity! Turn off lights and pull out chargers when you aren't using them; a second of consideration can save hours of energy. 
• Consider what you buy! Support the local markets - more organic produce and healthier food options can easily enhance your meals while preventing food waste. 
• Consider what you eat! A fridge audit can help you become more aware of food about to go bad, helping you create a more efficient and environmentally-friendly meal plan. 
• Change how you clean! Instead of using paper towels on your counters, try washable cloths - they last longer and cut through grease more efficiently. 
• Be mindful of your water! When you’re brushing your teeth or washing your dishes, turning off the tap is a small action with a huge impact. 
• Go gardening! A simple indoor herb garden or backyard veggie garden is a great way to introduce some greenery and give back to our Earth - plus, it’s a delicious hobby. 
• Use carton planters! If you decide to start gardening, you can repurpose cartons as planters for an easy way to get started.
• Stretch out your sponge use! Cutting a large sponge in half is a great way to ensure a sponge lasts longer and is more manageable, while preventing bacteria build-up. 
• Rags can be useful! Have old socks or clothes with holes? You can use them as cleaning cloths, dusting mitts, or in crafts projects. 
• Food waste doesn’t have to be waste! Bread ends can be used for french toast or sugar softening and overripe bananas are better for banana bread - food waste doesn’t need to be wasted.
• Use coffee grounds as fresheners! As natural deodorizers, coffee grounds absorb odor - stick a few tablespoons in a container in your fridge, kitchen, or near trash cans. 
• Opt for digital receipts! Clutter-free, easily accessible, and quick - email or screenshot receipts are ten times better than holding onto receipts you might end up losing. 
• Don’t trash your jars! Jars can be washed and reused for storage, cooking, candle-making, crafts, and more - while looking great and being easy to organize. 

Environmental action can be as simple or involved as you want it to be. This week, try out some or all of these tips and tricks to see what works for you. 

Every action counts - let’s make every day Earth Day!

Contributed by Anaya R, Grade 9 Student and Senior School Environmental Steward