Five Easy Water-Saving
Tips For Earth Month
We can’t thrive without it, we can’t survive without it …
and we certainly can’t run a salon without it.
Clean water is arguably the most important element to life
on Earth, yet Americans overwhelmingly take it for granted. We tend not to think
twice about running a load of towels through the Heavy Duty cycle, sinking into
a bubble bath, or sprucing up our ride at the car wash. When we turn the tap,
water comes out — clear, drinkable, abundant.
Only when a crisis pops up close to home, like the
toxic water tragedy in Flint, Michigan or the
California droughts, do many of us realize how precarious our clean water
supply actually is.
This is why the Aveda network devotes every April — Earth
Month — to raising awareness and funds to protect clean water. Since 1999 we
have given more than $44 million to water projects worldwide: over $6 million
last year alone! Initiatives include selling Aveda’s limited-edition Light the
Way™ Candle. One hundred percent of the candle’s $12 retail cost benefits the Global Greengrants Fund and its work in
more than 70 countries.
The Aveda network also shows Earth Month love to organizations
closer to home, through fundraising drives like Cut-a-Thons and special events
including fashion
shows for clean water. At Canyon River Spa, we support the amazing Clark Fork Coalition. Last year during Earth Month, we
raised $3000 for them, and this April we are
working to top that figure.
Protecting clean water doesn’t just happen during Earth
Month. On that note, here are five simple ways to conserve water all year long.
1. Skip the shower.
America’s daily shower habit is more of a cultural practice than one born of
necessity. In fact, frequent showering tends to overdry the skin and hair, fade
hair color, and strip the skin of so-called “good bacteria” whose purpose is to
make natural antibiotics. If missing a shampoo tends to give you the greasies,
a few puffs of Shampure Dry Shampoo is an excellent way to absorb oil, add
volume, and give your scalp and hair a nice blast of Aveda’s refreshing
Shampure aroma.
2. Give plants a
drink with recycled water. While you’re waiting for running water to change
from cold to hot, collect it in a receptacle and use it to water plants. Other
sources of free plant water? When you give your dog or cat fresh water, empty
its water bowl onto a plant instead of down the drain. Pour nutrient-rich fish
tank water onto non-edible plants when cleaning your aquarium. Let pasta
cooking water cool down for use on plants. And if you accidentally drop ice
cubes, don’t throw them in the sink – throw them on a plant.
3. Reduce your flush.
The toilet is one of the most water-intensive fixtures in any house or building,
with older toilets being the biggest culprits. Save gallons of water every day by
filling a half-gallon plastic jug with water, sand, or pebbles and sinking it
into the toilet tank. (Don’t use a brick, as it can break apart and the
sediment can damage your tank.)
4. Use less
electricity. Power plants use thousands of gallons of water daily for
cooling. Remembering to switch off lights, fans, appliances, and other energy-sucking
devices when not in use will not only lower your electric bill, but it indirectly
saves a lot of water.
5. Turn off the tap!
A running tap uses about 2 gallons of water per minute. When brushing your
teeth, washing dishes, shaving, showering, cooking or washing your hands … shut
the water off when you’re not directly using it.
We’re working toward a time when clean water is abundant and
available worldwide. Until then, we hope we can count on you to help that day
come! Happy Earth Month.
