Earth Day is on Saturday, April 22, but you can do your part year round by supporting eco-minded stores or attending a few local events to ensure you play your role in helping the environment. The following are a few sustainable shops and events to support this Earth Day in Iowa and beyond.
Earth Day Trash Bash
Des Moines
Running for its 16th year, Earth Day Trash Bash has had over 15,900 volunteers coming together to raise money and clean up thousands of pounds of litter, brush and debris from the Des Moines Metro area. This year’s bash will take place at Fort Des Moines Park April 21 from noon to 4 p.m. Polk County Conservation staff and volunteers can engage in habitat restoration work in the woodlands and contribute to cleaning up the beautiful park by removing litter. The event is free, and lunch will be provided to attendees. Registration to the event is not required but encouraged to ensure a place as space is limited. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.
Zero Waste Reserve
Quad Cities, Bettendorf
With two locations in Iowa, Zero Waste Reserve aims to help its guests live a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle while lowering an impact on our planet by offering eco-friendly, non-toxic and sustainable products. The chic shop, also used as a refill center, offers an assortment of items wrapped in packaging that is chemical- and plastic-free and doubles as a reusable container. Some things guests can expect when visiting on Earth Day in Iowa (and beyond) include natural makeup, personal care, clothing and accessories, gifts, items for babies, pets and home goods. Zero Waste Reserve is available online and by appointment only at its in-person store. For more information, visit zerowastereserve.com.
THE COLLECTIVE
Des Moines
THE COLLECTIVE is a local and female-owned business in Des Moines, offering guests a place to shop sustainably while aiding the environment. The shop’s climate commitment includes only working with businesses that create products with sustainable materials, pay ethical wages, package items only with reusable materials or containers, ship zero waste and ship eccomerance deliveries without emitting carbon into the air, making its online shopping experience carbon-neutral. THE COLLECTIVE features artisanal goods, including personal care items, home goods, pet care, reusable containers and more. The shop also serves as a bulk-refill center, allowing visitors to refill products like shampoos and soaps in a container they bring from home. THE COLLECTIVE is open Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and online. For more information, visit thecollectivedsm.com.
Earth Day at Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens
Des Moines
Visit Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens this Earth Day in Iowa for a lesson on the connection between plants and water with the help of Renewable Energy Group. The event takes place April 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features family-friendly activities, learning opportunities, a new mural unveiling and free admission to the gardens. The special event is open to the public. For more information, visit dmbotanicalgarden.com.
Kind Roots
Des Moines
Upon opening in 2019, Kind Roots has made its mark as an eco-minded store with sustainable products for people, the planet and the animals. Each month the destination donates 10 percent of its sales to a featured animal rescue across the United States and ships all of its goods carbon neutrally. Every item sold at Kind Roots is vegan and cruelty-free while every good–from the packaging to your purchased items–is recyclable and plastic-free. These materials include pre-loved boxes and paper, packing peanuts made from corn or potato starch that can dissolve in water and tape, and thermal labels that can go in your curbside recycling. Kind Roots offers an assortment of sustainable goods, including kitchen items, cleaning solutions, apparel, artisanal gifts, lifestyle items and much more. Kind Roots is available online, with its products created at the owner’s home in Des Moines. For more information, visit shopkindroots.com.