8 Ways to Keep America Beautiful

This story is part of Earth911’s “Green Eight” series, where we showcase eight ways to green your life in various areas.

April is a unique time of year when weather turns, flowers bloom, animals return from hibernation and it’s easy to appreciate the natural beauty around us. It’s no coincidence that April is Keep America Beautiful month. Here are eight ways you can contribute to the beauty with a low eco-impact.

1. Plant Native Species

Planting vegetation that is native to its surrounding environment will require less up-keep and is beneficial to the local eco-system. Photo: Britannica.com

Arizona’s cacti is its trademark. Hawaii’s palm trees make it a tropical paradise, and Florida’s citrus trees breathe life into the land and the economy. We associate different areas with their native species, adding to their natural beauty.

These plants are also more adaptable to the area’s climate, meaning less resources are needed to help them grow. If you’re looking to grow some beauty in the backyard, research plants that will thrive in your current environment instead of ones that require extra maintenance. This Native Gardening and Invasive Plants Guide by eNature.com is a great place to start.

2. Join a Beach Clean-up

In the U.S., 30 different states have access to an ocean or one of the Great Lakes. That translates to a lot of beach property where litter can pollute the water or be mistaken as food for aquatic life. You’d be surprised how much debris you can pick up in an hour.

While beach cleanups happen year-round, they are common in the spring in anticipation of summer beach season. The Blue Ocean Society keeps a calendar of beach cleanups, so see when one is scheduled for your area.

3. Recycle Plastics

Don’t get me wrong: You should recycle everything you can. But plastics carry extra significance because they weigh less than metal and glass containers. Since plastic is less expensive to ship, manufacturers embrace this lightweight feature, but it can cause havoc during disposal.

Plastic has the ability to blow out of landfills and end up in trees or water, whether it’s in bottle, bag or even Styrofoam form. Plastic ornaments might make a nice decoration for your Christmas tree, but the same can’t be said for plastic bags stuck in our evergreens. Make every effort to recycle all forms of plastic.

While beach cleanups happen year-round, they're more common in the spring in anticipation of summer beach season. Photo: Shorelines.com

4. Donate Your Non-Working Car

During 2008’s Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup, more than 15,000 trashed cars were removed from parks and public land.

Do you have an old car that no longer works and is sitting around and taking up space? It might not be worth the money to fix, but you can donate the car to a charity and get a tax write-off. In most cases, the car can be picked up so you don’t even have to worry about jump-starting the battery.

5. Control Your Fires

Nothing is more unattractive in nature than the black ash and dead limbs left by forest fires. While it’s true that some fires can be beneficial in clearing out debris, leave those to the professionals. According to the U.S. Forest Service, out of control campfires are the second leading cause of wildfires.

If you decide to have fires in open places, whether it’s a campsite or a beach bonfire, be responsible with your flames and make sure the fire is properly put out before you leave. Also, keep in mind that fire releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is a greenhouse gas.

6. Paint Without the VOCs

A fresh coat of paint can make many buildings more beautiful, but at what cost? When applied, paints often release volatile organic compounds (VOCs)  into the air, which can be a source of air pollution. You can find both low-VOC paints and zero VOC paint to reduce the impact of your paint job. You will probably pay more for these paints, but they are available in the same colors and varieties as the paint you may be used to. Make sure you recycle any leftover paint when the job is done.

Timed outdoor lighting saves energy and money. Photo: Imperialelectricsupply.com

7. Put Time on Your Side

It’s difficult to see beauty in the dark, which is why many areas will embrace outdoor lighting. Running these lights all day for 10 hours of darkness not only consumes energy, but it requires light bulbs to be replaced more often. Setting up a timer for outdoor lighting can fix this issue. Timers can also be valuable for watering plants and controlling room temperature.

8. Pick Up After Your Pet

Even Mr. T knows that if you have a pet, you’re responsible for its waste. None of us like seeing bird droppings on our car, so how are dog droppings left in the park any better? Plus, animal waste gets washed down stormdrains when it rains, and it can account for 25 percent of the bacteria in our water.

If possible, pet waste should be flushed (once you remove rocks or twigs) down the toilet so it can be filtered out with human waste, but at the very least make sure it ends up in a secured container in your trash. Tie a knot in the bag so nothing will leak out.