Last Updated on April 22, 2024
It’s Earth Day in Florida and all over the world!
Here are some simple yet powerful ways we can reduce our environmental impact.
Let’s make Earth Day in Florida happen all year long.
Grow an organic garden and help promote a sustainable food system.
Planting an organic garden nurtures your family and supports Florida’s commitment to a sustainable food system, keeping our state lush and vibrant.
Use the internet instead of paper to reduce tree usage and help preserve our forests.
Please stop wasting paper. Think before you print. Is what you’re printing useful, or is it a waste of paper?
Switch to reusable bags and help reduce plastic pollution in our oceans.
Start on Earth Day in Florida and keep doing it. Reusable bags are available at most grocery stores and dollar (now $1.25) stores.
TIP: We use reusable bags for birthdays and special occasion gift bags.
Learn how to combat plastic pollution and inspire others to do the same.
Plastic Free Florida is a movement to take action on plastics and foam locally.
The website is a resource for residents of Florida to empower themselves to achieve policy victories in their own communities.
Compost and help reduce waste while providing nutrient-rich soil for plants.
Are you interested in composting? Check out this UF/IFAS blog, Three Easy Ways to Make Compost for Your Florida-Friendly Garden.
Switch to online billing to reduce paper waste and help protect our planet’s resources. Make Earth Day in Florida the day you start.
Advocate for climate education and raise awareness about the importance of sustainability.
Check out these articles:
- Florida Springs Council Advocates for Our Springs
- Support Save the Manatee Club and the Protection of Manatees
- The Buzz on Saving Florida’s Honey Bees
- The Florida Environment: 11 Women You Should Know
Stand against deforestation and help protect the world’s lungs – our forests.
Don’t miss our article about Ocala National Forest.
Pick up trash while you walk/run and inspire others to do the same. Every day is Earth Day in Florida!
This is great to do whenever you go for a walk or run. Collect trash along the way!
Calculate your carbon footprint and take steps to reduce it.
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) generated by our actions.
The Nature Conservancy has an interactive calculator to learn your carbon footprint and actions to take to reduce it.
Organize a community cleanup and help create a cleaner, healthier environment.
Have you heard of Keep Florida Beautiful (KFB)? KFB is an umbrella organization that brings together more than 40 county and city affiliates.
KFB, in conjunction with the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) Affiliates of Florida, is proud to be one of Florida’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organizations.
The Florida Affiliates maintain thriving networks of communities, governments, responsible organizations and businesses, education institutions, and concerned citizens.
The goal is partnering to remove litter, help promote sustainability and keep their communities in a perpetual state of beautification.
Visit the Find Your Local Affiliate website for more info.
Contact your local representatives to voice your concerns and help drive change.
Here’s a link to local representatives throughout Florida: https://www.house.gov/representatives#state-florida
Ask for green power options and help promote clean energy.
One of the best resources is the SPOT (State Policy Opportunity Tracker) website.
Use reusable utensils, dishes, and trays instead of disposable ones and help reduce waste.
You can find many of these items at yard sales and charity thrift stores throughout Florida.
Tell elected leaders to ban single-use plastic and help protect our environment.
A new report shows that plastic bag bans work to reduce waste, pollution, and litter. A proposed Florida legislation would make it harder to ban single-use plastic bags.
Check out this article from EnvironmentAmerica.org.
Tell state legislators to vote no on this single-use plastic preemption bill.
Go pesticide-free and help protect our ecosystems.
Florida had an Operation Cleansweep program in 2022-2023 that collected and disposed of pesticides that had been canceled, suspended, or unusable.
You can still get good information by visiting their website.
Take pictures of pollinators, the horizon, and plastic waste & share them on social media to raise awareness.
What pollinator plants do we have in Florida? Check out the UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions website.
If you post on your social media pages, be sure to tag us: #AuthenticFlorida.
Support organic ingredients and help promote a healthier food system.
We get a lot of valuable information from the Living Green website.
Buy local food to reduce transportation emissions and support your local community.
Almost every county in Florida has multiple Farmers’ Markets that happen at different times throughout the week.
We wrote an article about Farmers’ Markets in the Fall since so many are seasonal.
Eat less meat and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We went on A Road Trip to Florida’s Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants.
We also found so many wonderful options, we wrote articles featuring the best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Orlando, Tampa, and Miami.
Use a reusable water bottle and help reduce plastic pollution in our oceans.
Did you know some of the best manufacturers of reuseable water bottles are based in Florida.
Check out Corkcicle and Tervis (the link goes to their Florida Collection) to name just two.
Push for plant-based food options and help promote sustainable food choices.
We love this Facebook Group called Florida Vegans. The Group is all about compassionate consumption, Veganism, Animal Advocacy, and Volunteering throughout the Sunshine State.
Turn off lights when not in use to conserve energy and help reduce our carbon footprint.
Check out these resources for conserving energy via Retrofits for Residential Housing :
- Energy Efficiency Fact Sheets (University of Florida)
- Energy Efficiency Measures Explained (University of Florida)
- Find a Certified Energy Auditor (Residential Energy Services Network)
- Green Tips (Florida Department of Environmental Protection)
- My Florida Green Building
- Weatherization Assistance Program (Florida Department of Economic Opportunity)
Use environmentally friendly cleaning products to reduce chemical pollution and help protect our health and the environment.
When selecting eco-conscious cleaning solutions, opt for biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals.
Authentic Florida recommends verifying products with trusted certifications like EcoLogo or Green Seal.
Noteworthy eco-labels include Green Seal, EcoLogo, Cradle to Cradle, and the Environmental Working Group.
These labels ensure you positively impact our beautiful state while keeping your home sparkling clean.
Let’s work together to make our planet a better place!