EARTH WEEK 2021: 4 Ways to Make a Difference
As the world returns to normal, we can’t go back to business-as-usual on the environmental front. NOW is the time when commitment and action can make a long-term difference. Here are a few ways to make your life and your home more earth-friendly.
1. START YOUR OWN GARDEN
If you’re thinking of starting a garden as a way to commemorate Earth Day, now is a fantastic time. Whether it’s a full backyard garden or windowsill pots of herbs, choosing when, what seed, and importantly, where to get your seeds is a great first step. Featured below are sustainable, organic, and non-GMO seed companies that provide the highest quality certified organic seed fit for any garden!
Photo courtesy of The Grow Room
High Mowing Organic Seed Company
76 Quarry Road
Wolcott, VT 05680
802-472-6174
highmowingseeds.com
@highmowingorganicseeds (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Pinterest)
@highmowingseeds (Twitter)
Based in Wolcott, VT, High Mowing Organic Seed Company is an independent seed company offering 100% organic, non-GMO seeds. High Mowing is a farm-based seed company dedicated to supporting sustainable agriculture, as well as providing farmers and gardeners with the highest quality and certified organic seeds. You can find these seeds at various locations throughout New Jersey, such as Back to Nature Home and Garden in Basking Ridge, Whole Earth Center in Princeton, Basil Bandwagon stores in Clinton, Flemington, and Lambertville, and Green Street Market in Rio Grande.
Photo courtesy of Gardening4Joy
Turtle Tree Seed Company
84 Camphill Road
Copake, NY 12516
518-329-3038
turtletreeseed.org
@turtletreesee (Facebook)
@turtle_tree_seed (Instagram)
Located in Camphill Village in the town of Copake, NY, Turtle Tree Seed Company is a small, non-profit seed company that sells 100% open-pollinated vegetable, herb, and flower seed. All seed is non-GMO, non-hybrid, never treated, and grown without the use of chemical inputs.
2. SHOP SUSTAINABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY
Supporting sustainable businesses whose mission it is to offer zero-waste, recyclable, or compostable products is the perfect way to commemorate Earth Day. Edible Jersey is proud to showcase businesses that offer eco-friendly, all-natural, and sustainable products, especially as a way to show our love for the planet!
Photo courtesy of Sustainable Haus Mercantile
Sustainable Haus Mercantile
221 Broad Street
Summit, NJ 07901
(908) 273-4494
sustainablehaus.com
Located in Summit, NJ and established in 2018, Sustainable Haus Mercantile is a zero waste, refill and eco-friendly home goods store offering products made from materials that are entirely organic or recycled. The Mercantile carries over 50 refillable products that are sold package free, such as shampoo, hand soap, laundry detergent, dish soap, beauty care and makeup.
Photo courtesy of greendesign
greendesign
10 E Broad St
Hopewell, NJ 08525
(609) 651-4643
shopgreendesign.com
@shopgreendesign (Facebook, Instagram)
Established in 2008 as a “brick and mortar” general eco-goods store, greendesign offers well-designed, environmentally friendly products including water bottles, organic soaps, and organic baby clothing. Greendesign carries a wide range of products including kitchenware, bath products, reusable lunch items and baby clothing and toys.
Photo Courtesy of NJ Monthly
Good Bottle Refill Shop and Dry Foods Refillery
1875 Springfield Ave.
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(305) 898-3857 (Refill Shop)
973-250-6160 (Refillery)
goodbottlerefillshop.com
drygoodsrefillery.com
Founded as New Jersey's first refill and zero waste shop, Good Bottle Refill Shop offers refills of laundry, hand and dish soap, cleaning products and bath and body products to reduce single use plastic. The Refillery is a package free and zero waste grocer selling bulk and plastic free foods.
Photo Courtesy of Unwrapped
Just the Goods. Unwrapped!
Shoppes at the Arcade
658 Cookman Ave
Asbury Park
unwrapped.earth
Jersey Shore’s only refill shop, Just the Goods. Unwrapped offers no packaging, no waste, eco-friendly home and personal goods. Come and refill with laundry and dish soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and other home, personal, and pet care products.
Photo courtesy of Google Images
Whole Earth Center
360 Nassau St.
Princeton
609-924-7429
wholeearthcenter.com
This little powerhouse of a store first opened its doors to the public on the first Earth Day in 1970 and has been working hard to improve and repair our planet ever since. They offer more than 300 items for sale in bulk quantities and other earth-friendly products.
Photo Courtesy of MapQuest
Zero to 180 Market
6 Dehart St.
Morristown, NJ 07960
973-206-1845
zeroto180.shop
Zero to 180 Market located in Morristown, NJ offers a package free and zero waste shopping experience. Purchase items such as bulk goods that are organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free and environmentally friendly home and wellness products that are ideal for the whole family.
Photo Courtesy of Green Street Market
Green Street Market
3156 Route 9 S. Suite 5
Rio Grande, NJ 08242
609-463-0606
greenstreetmarket.com
Established in 2004 as Cape May County's largest natural and organic supermarket, Green Street Market offers an extensive selection of organic, non-GMO, locally grown and fair-trade products. The market also offers sustainable and environmentally friendly products suited for the whole family.
Photo courtesy of Basil Bandwagon
Basil Bandwagon
276 US 202, Flemington
908-788-5737
38 Old Highway 22, Clinton
908-735-3822
239 N. Union St., Lambertville
609-460-4500
basilbandwagon.com
This natural market sells food in bulk along with organic produce. Their environmental initiatives include composting programs in partnership with local farms. During Earth Week (Mon., 4/19 – Fri, 4/23), they are offering 20% off eco-friendly items and bulk bin foods along with free samples and basil plants.
3. GET ACTIVE WITH EVENTS AND ADVOCACY
Check out what leaders and organizations around the world are doing to celebrate Earth Week 2021: Restore Our Earth…. and get involved. Here are a few Earth Week events happening in the Garden State. Seek out clean-up and other activities happening in your own town – or create your own!
April 17: Stream Cleanup with Raritan Headwaters Association
9am – 12pm
Choose from a variety of locations throughout the state via this link below and register.
raritanheadwaters.org/stream-cleanup
The nonprofit watershed waterdog Raritan Headwaters Association is seeking volunteers for its annual Stream Cleanup on Saturday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will remove trash and recyclables from over 50 sites along waterways in Hunterdon, Somerset, and Morris counties.
NOTE: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s event is much smaller than previous years (1700 volunteers). No walk-in registration allowed.
April 22: Earth Day Dune Planting at Bayshore Waterfront Park
4 – 6pm
719 Port Monmouth Rd
Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
(732) 787-3033
facebook.com/events/173635327732078
With this hands-on dune restoration project, you can make an impact with family members or friends by providing habitats for local wildlife. The project involves planting native grasses and other perennials; but plants are in limited supply so first come, first served!
4. RE-THINK YOUR HOME KITCHEN & MEAL PLANNING
According to Feeding America, an estimated 40% of food grown, processed and transported in the US will never be consumed. Make sure that food does not go from field to landfill by following these eight steps to minimize food waste in your home kitchen.
