Here's how to celebrate Earth Day

Still, for the purpose of being politically correct, good Americans need to mark the day with an earth-friendly activity so we can feel righteous.

You did plant a tree on Arbor Day, right? Or, at least didn’t cut one down. Work with me here.

As I type this, I’m drinking coffee not from my reusable mug, but from a paper cup with a plastic lid, both of which will end up in the landfill. Sorry about that.

Earth Day is like New Year’s Day. We realize how bad we’ve been in the past (well, some of us) and see what we ought to do to improve — recycle, conserve energy, live “green” in a hundred different ways that somehow never happen.

(In my own defense, I never buy bottled water, I recycle newspapers and I often refuse bags when making purchases at the feed store. Color me green.)

Even in the midst of our Great Recession, so much of what we buy is waste — indeed, much of our economy is dedicated to the creation of materials destined for the landfill. If we could magically eliminate the unnecessary packaging and unread information (in multiple languages) that comes with every electronic device or appliance, think of how much money would be saved. Whole forests could be retained if Direct TV alone would just switch from direct mail to email. And does anyone actually read a prospectus? Waste, waste, waste.

I know. People get paid to print those materials, and that work is part of the economy. Nothing is simple.

Last year, I celebrated Earth Day by purchasing a rain barrel. Not only did I help preserve the city reservoir, but I also provided an incubator for countless mosquitoes, which kept the resident bluebird pair active and well fed, kept my basil plants irrigated and reduced the runoff from my property by up to 100 gallons.

If that didn’t qualify me for Yard of the Month honors, I don’t know what does.

I think I’ll celebrate Earth Day next week by planting six or eight tomato bushes, a couple varieties of okra and some green beans. In addition to freeing Saturday morning (when I would have planted the garden) for fishing, it will give me a sense of being one with my planet. I may even check the air pressure in my tires to minimize my use of gasoline and drink an adult beverage from a recyclable aluminum can.

You celebrate Earth Day your way; I’ll celebrate my way.

Mark Beardsley is editor of The Commerce News. He lives in Commerce