Earth Day ’24: Easy Ways You Can Get Involved

Want to take some environmental action or keep your neighborhood clean? Bergen has events and ideas that promote our planet.
Cheryl De Leon,
1 Earth Day

 

It’s always a good time to celebrate Mother Nature; Earth Day just brings the planet to the front of our minds. Since 1970, April 22 has been a day to support and reflect on environmental protection, sustainability efforts and the impact we have on the world around us.

If you’re excited for Earth Day activities, you can find the perfect program in Bergen County this weekend and in the coming weeks. Check out some of the following:

  • In Paramus, the Bergen County Zoo holds its two-day Party for the Planet event on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the zoo welcomes local conservation groups for demonstrations and Q&As about their work. On Sunday, the zoo takes center stage with their own efforts.
  • For a hands-on event, head to Westvale Park in Westwood on Saturday, April 20, where the Woman’s Club of Westwood is hosting a Family Earth Day Cleanup. The event starts at 9 a.m.; RSVP for more details.
  • Stokes Farm in Old Tappan welcomes children to take part in their Earth Day Kids Workshop on April 20. Each child will decorate a pot and choose a flower to go inside it, while learning about the essentials that plants need to thrive. Multiple times are available.
  • On Sunday, April 21, Ridgewood holds their Daffodil Festival & Earth Day Fair in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square. Come for goat yoga, educational displays, magic shows and crafts. There will also be a dog parade in which all leashed pups can join. The fun starts at 11 a.m.
  • Bergen’s largest celebration of Mother Earth takes place on May 19 at Overpeck County Park in Ridgefield Park, where the Hackensack Riverkeeper hosts EarthFest. This all-day event features a fishing derby, free kayaking, crafts for children and lots of vendors.

How can you create a more sustainable environment? There are lots of simple changes you can make. Try donating items instead of sending them to a landfill, making smart choices for your next renovation project and starting a home compost pile with your food waste. You can also keep an eye on what you’re tossing into the trash.

Common items around your home, such as paint, aerosols and certain kinds of batteries and lightbulbs are categorized as Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). These materials are dangerous to the environment and sanitation workers if just chucked in the bin. If you’re doing some spring cleaning, dispose of these items properly (the county’s next upcoming collection event is May 11 at Bergen County Campgaw Reservation in Mahwah). HHW includes the following (and see here for Bergen’s full list):

  • Anti-freeze
  • Bug spray
  • Drain cleaner
  • Fertilizer
  • Any type of paint or varnish
  • Florescent light bulbs
  • Pesticides

Prescription medication is not considered HHW, but many of them should be disposed of properly (and not thrown out or flushed down the toilet).

See the Bergen County Utilities Authority for locations and dates you can safely dispose of HHW, and reach out to a local police department for prescription medication drop-off days.

How are you celebrating Earth Day? Tell us all your sustainability tips on Instagram @bergenmagnj!

 

Categories: Bergen Health & Life