Happy Earth Day, Ames! 5 Easy Ways to Make a Local Impact

April 22 is Earth Day, a global celebration of our planet and a reminder that small actions—especially at the local level—can make a big difference. Whether you rent an apartment or own a townhome here in Ames, there are easy, everyday ways to reduce your environmental impact and help keep our community clean, green, and thriving.

Here’s how you can celebrate Earth Day right here in Ames:

♻️ 1. Make the Most of Ames’ Recycling Program

The City of Ames Resource Recovery Plant has a unique waste-to-energy system, but recycling right still matters.

• Drop off recyclables at the Ames Resource Recovery Plant or consider subscribing to curbside recycling through a private hauler.
• Avoid “wish-cycling”—check what’s actually accepted by visiting here.

🗓 Bonus: Watch for the annual Ames Spring Cleanup Week for large item disposal dates!

💧 2. Conserve Water (and Lower Your Utility Bill!)

April showers may bring May flowers, but it’s still smart to conserve water:

• Run full loads in the dishwasher and laundry.
• Fix leaky faucets or report them to property management.
• Take shorter showers—just 5 minutes can save gallons!

🚿 Did you know? Ames gets its drinking water from a deep well system, so conservation helps long-term sustainability.

🌱 3. Plant Something—Even if It’s Small

You don’t need a big yard to enjoy some greenery!

• Add a potted plant or herb garden to your balcony.
• Choose native Iowa plants like coneflowers or prairie dropseed for pollinator-friendly beauty.
• Support local by shopping at Earl May of Ames for outdoor gardening supplies or visiting Back Alley Plants on Main Street for unique houseplants and expert advice!

🪴 Whether you're going for vibrant flowers or a low-maintenance succulent, a little green goes a long way for both your space and the planet.

🚌 4. Try a Greener Commute

Ames has great alternatives to solo driving:

• CyRide, the city’s bus system, is free for ISU students and very affordable for everyone else.
• Carpool with a neighbor or walk/bike when possible—especially now that the weather’s warming up.

🚲 Pro Tip: Ames has more than 50 miles of bike trails—explore the city in a whole new way!

🌎 5. Join an Earth Day Event

Looking for ways to celebrate with others?

• ISU Earth Day events typically include sustainability fairs, speakers, and volunteer opportunities.
• Check out local clean-up events hosted by Story County Conservation or Volunteer Center of Story County.

🌟 Even an hour of volunteering can leave a lasting impact.

Let’s Keep Ames Beautiful

This Earth Day, let’s commit to simple, meaningful steps that protect the place we all call home. Whether you’re taking out your recycling, riding the bus, or planting flowers, every action counts.

From our team to yours—Happy Earth Day, Ames!