It’s Earth Day, and the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority has some suggestions for ways to celebrate while practicing social distancing.

• Get Outdoors – Take a walk outside alone or with your family and clean up litter along the way. Be sure to bring a bag and wear gloves.
• Start or Maintain Gardens – Welcome the spring season by planting native plants, fruit and vegetables.
• Start a Compost Pile – Composting food and yard waste will reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill and create fertilizer to use in gardens or landscaping.
• Learn and Reflect – Share and reflect on what behaviors or actions you are taking to help the environment and encourage others to as well.
• Give Thanks – Use art to show gratitude and appreciation to those working the front lines, like garbage and recycling collection haulers, by leaving a note or artwork on garbage or recycling containers. Photos of your appreciation could be features in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) newsletter as well at NYSDEC social media by submitting them via email to: organicrecycling@dec.ny.gov.

Kids can also spend some time working on art to submit to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s annual New York Recycles! Poster Contest. Students in kindergarten through 12^th grade can enter through May 29. For more information, visit: www.dec.ny.gov.