Celebrate Earth Day in the Tri-boro

Earth Day is Saturday! This is a great opportunity for those who've been thinking about green living and doing their part to protect the planet to get onto the sustainability bandwagon. And many of these ideas can save you money too!

Here are ways in which you can mark Earth Day in the Tri-boro.

1. Start bringing your own bags when you shop for groceries. They're welcomed at Butler's Stop & Shop and Pathmark.
2. Shop at consignment and thrift stores such as Potpourri Consignment Shop or Garage Sale Treasures in Butler.
3. Rip up some lawn and create new garden beds for spring, and then grow your own food for summer. Your kids will eat more veggies if they grow them themselves. For seeds and gardening supplies, check out Bloomingdale's Glenwild Garden Center.
4. Ditch those dreaded plastic sandwich bags and get some washable containers or bags. I like ReUsies, created by two Seattle moms.
5. Don't use the car—run your errands on your bike or on foot.
6. Make a vow: From now on, pack cloth napkins instead of paper towels in school lunches.
7. Look for an environmental service project you can do with your children, such as removing trash and non-native plants and planting trees in their place. Contact your the township Parks and Forestry Department at 973-263-7254 and ask about any upcoming Earth Day activities. 
8. Got an older house? Install double-pane windows and you’ll see immediate savings on your heating bill. Makes a great Earth Day pursuit.
9. Plant a tree for Earth Day. A certified arborist can help you select and plant trees that will provide privacy and shade and even years of fresh fruit. Check out Glenwild Garden Center in Bloomingdale.
10. Dump your bottled water costs. You could save hundreds of dollars by using Earth Day as inspiration to buy snazzy metal water bottles for everyone in the family and a personal filter for your kitchen faucet.
11. Replace your old light bulbs with LED bulbs. They last 15 times longer and use 75 percent less energy.
12. Expand your hand-me-down circle. Organize an Earth Day clothing swap for your kids’ preschool or a group of friends. Everyone brings gently used and clean kids’ clothes to your garage and parents can take as many items as they donated. The rest goes to charity. You can also swap toys and books.
13. Use the day to replace your showerheads with low-flow models. Low-flow showerheads can save you up to 15 percent on water heating costs and reduce your water usage by as much as 20,000 gallons a year. The Butler Lowe's can show you many types of showerheads.
14. Get a home energy audit from a pro—this can save you up to 30 percent on your monthly heating bills.

TELL US: What are your plans for Earth Day? Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.