April 22, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! In 1970, Founder Gaylord Nelson saw that something had to be done for the Earth. He witnessed the impact of a disastrous oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. The event shook him to the core and inspired him to act.

The original Earth Day movement led to the creation of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. These three acts have instituted measures to preserve the Earth’s natural beauty and resources. 

While the original Earth Day movement created a massive impact on our planet, you may be wondering what individuals like you and I can do now to continue honoring this day. Here is a list of 10 easy ways you can celebrate Earth Day.

Stop “One-Use” Mentality

Many household items are made for one-time use, but there are many long-lasting options out there! Ditch the paper towels and use cloth towels to wipe up countertop spills, buy reusable beeswax wraps to cover leftovers instead of using plastic wrap, and use cloth makeup removing pads instead of buying single use wipes. These are just a couple examples to start with!

Switch to LEDs and Solar-Powered Lighting

When you make the switch to LED and solar-powered lighting, you will see huge leaps in energy efficiency (and your wallet)! In addition, LEDs last longer than the typical fluorescent bulbs, which saves you money in the long-run. Everybody wants their electricity bills to go down! Fluorescent bulbs are typically rated to last 7,000-15,000 hours, but LEDs can reach up to 50,000 hours! A great offering from Koda is the 46” Linkable LED Shop Light with Motion Sensor and Remote for your garage/workshop needs, or the LED Umbrella Light with Solar Charging Panel to light up your patio. Pick one up here if you’re ready for an upgrade that the planet and your wallet will appreciate. 

Turn off the Light When You Leave

If you’re leaving the room and not coming back for an extended period of time, there’s no use in wasting electricity and upping your utility bills! Take the second to turn off the lights, or better yet, install motion activated lighting that turns off after a period of no activity in the room. Check out Koda’s LED Ceiling Light with Mood Lighting and Motion Sensor or the 46” Linkable LED Shop Light with Motion Sensor and Remote.

Swap out Plastic Bags for Reusable Bags

This is an easy lifestyle change that anyone can do! Just remember to keep reusable bags in your car and bring them into the grocery store. Many stores now charge around $0.10 per plastic bag, and you can easily avoid the fee and save money by BYOB (bringing your own bag!) No more paying for plastic bags that inevitably end up in the trash. Bonus tip: lots of grocery stores sell grains and nuts by weight and you can bring your own bags/containers rather than using their plastic bags! 

Please check with your local grocery store and abide by their store policy. Due to COVID-19, many stores are currently implementing a no reusable bag policy to deter the spread of infection. However, once things get back to normal, there’s no reason to not use reusable bags!

Plant Some Trees

Planting trees is great for the environment, but it can also help you save on housing costs if you plant strategically! Utilize them to your advantage to create shade for your home, lowering cooling costs in the summer. You can also use plants to block out wind and drafts, which lower your heating costs in the winter.

Repurpose Containers

A tin can or pasta jar can become anything if you get creative! Use it as a vase, store all your loose change in it, or decorate it as a pencil cup for your office. The sky’s the limit! By repurposing your containers, you eliminate the need to purchase additional items for your home, while reducing your contribution to landfill.

Use Eco-Friendly Household Items

Household items like toothbrushes and cotton pads get tossed in the trash and contribute to landfill. Even worse, plastics can take decades to break down! By switching to more eco-friendly alternatives, you can reduce your impact on waste. An easy replacement for a toothbrush is to use one with a bamboo handle and biodegradable bristles. There are even brands that have created reusable cotton swabs and floss that you just need to wash with each use.

Walk or Ride a Bike When You Can

If you’re going just a short distance, you can help Mother Nature out by walking or riding a bike wherever possible. Ditching the car can reduce your carbon emissions and improve your city’s air quality. Plus, you get to enjoy the fresh air, you get a workout in, and you save money on gas!

Save Water

You can save gallons of water by hand-washing your dishes rather than running your dishwasher. You probably also waste a lot of water waiting for the shower to heat up! You can put a container under the running faucet to collect the cold water and reuse that later for watering your plants, hand-washing clothes, and more.

Shop and Sell at Thrift/Consignment Stores

Thrift and consignment stores allow you to breathe a second life into gently used items. You can find name-brand clothing at a bargain, or score a gorgeous antique that would be the perfect addition to your dining room! Before tossing unwanted items, you should consider selling it to consignment stores - you will be surprised by how much you can earn, and it’s better for the environment!

Earth Day is about making a difference. There’s no bigger contribution you can make than to preserve our planet. Even if it’s as simple as installing LED lights in your home, office or workshop, you will make a difference. 

Being mindful of our consumption ensures that there is a beautiful world for our children to enjoy. We at Koda strive to make these kinds of contributions, which is why we take pride in our LED products. Have a great Earth Day!

Things To Do During the Coronavirus Self-Quarantine

Many cities and countries worldwide are currently in a mandatory lockdown due to the widespread transmission of COVID-19, with individuals voluntarily following suit to protect themselves and the public health in general.

With major events such as concerts and trade shows being cancelled or postponed, your social calendar for these next few months may seem quite bare. However, staying away from large crowds is in everybody's best interest. The CDC recommends avoiding gatherings where 50 or more people are present. There have also been recommendations for social distancing and self-quarantine to "flatten the curve", effectively slowing down the pace of infected persons at any given time. By following these practices, we can alleviate some of the pressures we are putting on the healthcare system.

If you are currently in self-quarantine, here are a handful of suggestions to stay productive and entertained at home.

Learn a New Language

With so many educational apps out there such as Duolingo, you can spend the afternoon learning a new language or just brushing up on your skills. That way, when things return to normalcy and travel is safe again, you'll be able to communicate with others wherever you go.

Read a Book

There's probably a bedside book you never got around to finishing. Now is a great chance to catch up on all the reading you haven't been able to do. If you don't have any books around the house, you can also subscribe to an e-book service and read through your devices.

Do Arts and Crafts

Whether you're into knitting, painting, calligraphy, or pottery, there are so many creative outlets available to take the boredom away. Whatever you create now can end up being great decor for the house!

Organize the House

Finally, you have no excuse for putting it off any longer. Now is the perfect time to clean out the garage, organize your closets, or tidy up the kitchen. Spend one day tackling a single room. By the time the self-quarantine is over, your house will be spotless!

Do Home Repairs or Improvements

Now is also a great time to repair little things around the house. Perhaps there is a hole that needs patching, doorknobs that need an upgrade, or some lights that need to be replaced. What better time than now while you're at home all day, every day?

You may also be interested in: 
46" Linkable LED Shop Light with Motion Sensor and Remote 
14" LED Ceiling Light with Mood Lighting and Motion Sensor
*Available for Online Purchase

Reassess Your Budget

There's no better time to create or reassess your budget than right now. With economic uncertainties looming above us, it's crucial to work with your spouse or significant other to develop a game plan should unexpected financial events take place.

Call/Videochat Friends and Family

Just because you are social distancing, doesn't mean you have to cut ties entirely with your social circle! Calling or video chatting is a great way to stay in touch without direct exposure to others. You can still dish out the daily gossip from a safe distance away.

Have an At-Home Spa Day

A self-quarantine might be exactly what you need if you're a busy bee and seldom have a chance to relax. Take this time away from the outside world by having your own spa day right in the comfort of your own home. Light some candles, run a bubble bath, do a face mask...anything that can help you feel pampered and rejuvenated!

Do At-Home Workouts

Although many public places such as gyms have been temporarily shut down, that's no excuse to skip leg day! Do your workouts from home and follow some YouTube® guided exercises that require little to no equipment. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts are an excellent way to get your cardio in, and doesn't take much time at all! If you need the fresh air, you can also go for runs or walks in less crowded places. Just be careful of your personal safety if going out in secluded areas.

Learn a New Skill

You can find a plethora of online resources to teach you just about anything you want! Communities such as Udemy, Skillshare, or Coursera offers unlimited knowledge in just about anything.

Listen to Podcasts

Whether you're a true crime junkie, sports fanatic, or just need a daily dose of humor, podcasts will keep you entertained and engaged for hours on end. If you're new to podcasts, give it a try! There is something out there for everyone.

Do a Virtual Museum Tour

Just because you're stuck at home, doesn't mean you can't enjoy arts and culture! If you do a quick Google search, you will find plenty of museums that offer virtual tours, such as the British Museum in London, the Guggenheim in New York, the Smithsonian in DC, or the Louvre in Paris. If you need a unique date night idea, this is one for the books!

Get Plenty of Rest

This COVID-19 pandemic is without a doubt scary and stressful for everyone. Make sure that you are taking care of yourself and keep your immune system strong by getting plenty of rest, eating healthy, and staying hydrated. 

Let's face it- going out for dates isn't all it's cracked up to be. You spend too much, you're stuck in a crowded area, you have to agree on a place (What do you want to do? Where do you want to go?)

We've all had a date night that's left us feeling a bit underwhelmed, so if you're looking to keep the romance alive without leaving the house, think about planning your next special night at home.

Here are our top tips for your next at-home date night.

Turn Your Living Room Into a Movie Theater

Browsing through the endless content on Netflix and Hulu can get mundane. We do it every day and the selections are always the same. Try something else! Is there a great movie that you both want to see or maybe a terrible one that you both wanted to laugh at? Rent or buy it online! You're still saving money by avoiding those pricey movie ticket prices, but will still give the night a special feeling. Give your living room a movie theater feel with soft mood lights, pop some popcorn, kick up your feet, and relax!

Bring Date Activities Back Home

If you want to disconnect entirely, go the whole night without screens! Play board games (best two out of three!) or plan a spa night for the evening. Think outside of the box - if there's something you always wanted to do together, there's definitely a way to do it for less money in the privacy of your own home. Maybe it's a home manicure, or karaoke, or a picnic in the backyard. If you were going to go to a concert, sing and play music for each other instead. If you were to visit an art gallery, how about hosting your own wine and paint night at home? It's all about creating memories that will stand out from your normal day to day routine!

Make A Meal Special

If you're planning a dinner at home, try something new! Don't recycle your old recipes or order from your normal take-out spots. Pick a drink that you've never made before, or choose a bottle of wine a bit fancier than usual. Dig up a recipe you've always wanted to try and give it a shot together. You and your partner get to work as a team to create something different and special. And, if it comes out as a disaster, have a back up plan ready to go - Postmates is always just a click away. Sometimes, the best memories come from hilarious catastrophes.

Set the Mood

We go out to get into a different headspace, so the biggest trick to making your at home date feel special is to recreate that feeling. Prepare for your date by cleaning the house, or even redecorating to give the evening a fun, whimsical feel. Keep the distractions to a minimum, which means no checking email, no work. Dress up for the evening to make it feel more special, or dress down to make it cozy. Buy flowers, and don't skimp on the candles. 

If you're looking for an easy way to set the tone, be sure to get the right mood lighting! This LED Ceiling Light is fantastic for that seamless transition from a cool white for your workday to a warm, cozy feel for date night back home. The RGB Mood Light lets you change the colors to match the activity of the night - bright when you need to make sure you don't slice off a finger with the carrots, or romantic for when dinner is served. You can imitate the karaoke bar of your first date, or dim down to the fancy candlelight of an anniversary dinner. The stage is yours to set.

Staying home means there's no interruptions- no waiter popping up in the middle of a deep conversation, or old friend sighted during a romantic moment. No movie theater means no screaming children in the row behind you, or people talking too loudly on the phone while you're trying to enjoy yourself. Create a space that's just yours, and enjoy the feeling of having your own little pocket of the world. Let the night take you wherever it goes - funny, or serious, romantic or silly. Take this time to talk about the future, or dream big on some romantic getaway you'll take one day. Home dates can be fantastic, intimate and inexpensive, as long as you make sure to set the tone for a special night. After all, there's no place like home.