Earth After Earth Day

Every year since 1970, people around the world have come together on April 22 to celebrate Earth Day. Celebrating can take many forms: some people participate in garbage cleanups in their communities; others plant trees; some just take the opportunity to teach others about the way the choices they make — from the items they purchase, to their habits at home — have an impact on our planet. 

But here at Green Matters, we know that education, action, and impact is important 365 days a year — not just on April 22. That’s why this year, we’re introducing a new campaign called #EarthAfterEarthDay, which will inform and highlight different ways our choices have an effect on not only our planet, but also our future. 

During the coming weeks, we’ll be showcasing the different ways you can live sustainably and make the best choices when it comes to the ways we shop for food, fashion, and everything in between. 

And while education is crucial when it comes to changing the direction of our planet, action is even more essential. Every action we take has an impact on our environment, so it’s up to us to make sure we are making sustainable choices.

We want to celebrate the different ways every single person can make a difference by doing something for our planet; while the benefits of acting sustainably are immeasurable — such as creating a better world for future generations — sometimes, the benefits can be a little more tangible, as well. During the next four weeks, we’ll be offering giveaways that will help you make better choices that will allow us to preserve the Earth. 

To enter, all you have to do is post a picture on Instagram and show what you’re doing to reduce your environmental impact and tag both @GreenMatters and #EarthAfterEarthDay to be entered to win. You have until May 21 to show us all the ways you're making a difference — whether it's something big or small, it all counts! We can't wait to see what you're doing. 

Our first giveaway will be a five-year membership and $500 gift card to Thrive Market, our favorite online grocery store that offers natural and organic products at unbeatable prices. Thrive Market is also offering all Green Matters readers a free 30-day trial and 25 percent off your first order by visiting thrivemarket.com/greenmatters. 

To help you embrace greener habits while grocery shopping — on Thrive Market or anywhere else — our first week of programming will offer plenty of tips on making more sustainable choices while shopping for food. Whether you're new at the bulk section, don't have access to one, or just want to learn more about how your choices affect the planet (did you know some non-dairy milks are more eco-friendly than others?), there's something for everyone to learn. 

Now that you’ve gotten your groceries, for week two, we’re focusing on what goes on in the kitchen. Changing the food you eat, and even how you prepare, can have a huge impact on the environment; did you know that between 30-40 percent of the entire food supply in the United States ends up in the garbage? This week, we’ll teach you all about how your choices in the kitchen and the food you use have an impact on the environment. Whether you’re ready to dive in and embrace a plant-based diet (which some experts say is the single best way to help the planet), or you just want to learn more, we have you covered. 

To help you get started, we’ve teamed up with Purple Carrot — a plant-based meal kit — to give away a $500 gift card. Just like last week, all you have to do to enter is show us on Instagram how you’re helping the planet even after Earth Day, and tag #EarthAfterEarthDay and @GreenMatters. Our readers are also getting $30 off their first order using code “GREENMATTERS” — so it’s time to get cooking!

Week three, we're ditching the kitchen! This time, we're focusing on what it means to consider the planet when it comes to beauty, hygiene, and cosmetics. While makeup is often something incredibly personal — and something that most people do strictly for themselves — the choices we make when it comes to makeup and skincare can have an effect on the world at large. There are decisions we make when it comes to grooming and self-care — be it shopping for only cruelty-free products, or making sure we dispose of any makeup or skincare "empties" properly — that can have a greater effect on the planet and our environment. 

This week, we're giving away a $500 gift card to Lush — think of all the zero-waste lotions and shampoo bars you could buy with that! Lush is committed to the environment, and are 100 percent cruelty-free and vegetarian; they also strive to be as zero-waste as possible, and encourage their customers to be as well. To enter, you just have to keep doing what you're doing: Take a photo showing us how you're being kind to Mother Nature even after Earth Day is over, and upload it to Instagram; don't forget to tag #EarthAfterEarthDay and @GreenMatters and you'll be entered to win! 

Finally, we're ending this week focusing on fashion. Did you know that clothing and textiles make up around 5 percent of all landfills? That's because the average American gets rid of 70 lbs of clothing and shoes annually — and, often times, even clothing you donate ends up in the landfill. That's why it's important to think about the environmental implications when it comes to your fashion choices — from what you're buying, to the brands you're supporting, to how you dispose of your clothing at the end of its lifestyle. 

This week, we're giving away a $500 gift card to Everlane, a fashion brand that sells sustainable, ethical, and modern basics. To enter, do the same thing you've likely done the past three weeks: Take a photo showing us how you're being kind to Mother Nature even after Earth Day is over, and upload it to Instagram; don't forget to tag #EarthAfterEarthDay and @GreenMatters and you'll be entered to win! 

Be sure to check this space to see not only all the content we’re creating for #EarthAfterEarthDay, but also winners of the give aways who are helping us as we explore more about how sustainable habits could change our future. 

We can’t wait to see all the ways you’re making the world a better place!