Earth Day 2020

The very first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. To celebrate Earth Day in 2020 – during an epidemic –  we wanted to give neighbors a few ideas for things to do at home on a limited budget the benefit the Earth!

1. Visit EarthDay.org to learn more about Earth Day and ways that you can engage with people from across the globe! There are ways to donate, give your time, and engage on a number of projects year around.
2. Keep your curb clean! This one seems fairly easy – and we’ve got the supplies for you to do it! All Meridian-Kessler neighbors that join the Meridian-Kessler Neighborhood Association in the coming weeks will receive three trash bags and three pairs of gloves to “keep their curb clean” on Earth Day and beyond. Join here! 
3. Have a Home Energy Assessment performed by Indianapolis Power and Light. While this service is currently unavailable to limit exposure to other people during quarantine, we suggest signing up now for the assessment to be performed once the stay-at-home order is over. Additionally, the IPL website features a number of other ways to save energy, save money, and save the earth!
4. Plant a small garden of native plants for honeybees and butterflies! The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has put together a wonderful factsheet for anyone to plant a simple, yet effective, flower garden that will attract honeybees and butterflies. Once you’ve decided which plants you’d like to plant, we suggest going to Sullivan Hardware & Garden (49th & Pennsylvania -or- 71st and Keystone) to purchase your plants!
5. Enroll for curbside recycling! The City of Indianapolis has various vendors that operate curbside recycling based on your street address. Click here to see the recycling vendor for your area is.