Earth Day is celebrated each year on April 22. There are numerous events around the country that you can participate in to show your love for the earth, and that’s a great way to spend the day. However, you don’t have to attend a huge event to make a difference. Instead, use Earth Day this year as an opportunity to kick off a new habit that helps the planet. Even if you start with something small and keep that practice throughout the year, by Earth Day next year, you’ll have done a lot to help. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Replace one disposable item in your life with something more permanent. Whether you ditch those plastic grocery sacks for reusable grocery bags, start taking a refillable mug with you to the coffee shop or carrying a metal or glass straw in your purse, it will go a long way toward reducing your consumption.

Switch all your utility and other accounts over to paperless billing. You won’t have as much paper to clog your mailbox and you won’t have something you look at for two seconds before tossing it in your recycling cart. To switch your Granger account to paperless billing, fill out this form.

Think about recycling before making a purchase. Get in the habit of reading labels to determine whether a product and its packaging are made from recycled material. Creating more demand for recyclable materials can help improve recycling options. Also, when purchasing a product, consider whether the container it comes in can be recycled in your area rather than realizing after the fact that there are no recycling options.

Convert your paper subscriptions to electronic subscriptions. Sure, you’re used to having that newspaper thrown on your front porch, but is it really necessary to have a paper copy? Reading newspapers and magazine on your electronic device is not only convenient, it also reduces your paper consumption.

Become a regular recycler. If you’ve never done it before, get organized to set yourself and your family up for success. Start with this checklist:

• Determine how you’ll recycle (curbside or drop-off)
• Set up service if necessary (click here to add recycling collection, dependent on availability in your area)
• Carefully read the guidelines (Granger curbside guidelines, Granger drop-off guidelines) for your service, share them with family members and keep them in a place where they’re easy to consult
• Inventory the current contents of your home to determine which items you can recycle
• Place recycling containers in the areas you need them most

And you know what’s the best part about these ideas? Even if you let Earth Day slip away without picking up a new earth-friendly habit, you can start another day. There’s always time to make a difference.