LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Earth Day celebrations happened all around the world this weekend.
Locally, there were several city and park cleanups, as well as weeklong events in Little Rock's "SoMa District."
The Green Corner Store, located on Southside Main Street, spent April 21 and April 22 highlighting Mother Earth, sustainability and localism.
Ending plastic pollution was the main message for this year's celebration.
"I think Earth Day is important because I have three children. It's important that we preserve as much as we can by up cycling,” said one shopper at The Green Corner Store.
Earth Day has been recognized every year on April 22nd since 1970. It's a global event in more than 150 countries.
“Conserving the earth is really important and caring for the earth is too so that it supports us in a better way and we can have healthier lifestyles, better homes and good quality of life,” Shelley Green said, owner of the store. Hence the name.
She put a new spin on her celebration this year and hosted an event that that educated shoppers and community about the importance of practicing a green living lifestyle.
“We're introducing a way to live more zero waste with our bulk cleaning department. Today we have freebies and discounts for people who bring their own container, we can refill,” Green added.
By refilling personal tea containers, the store hopes to help save on plastic, transportation and create less waste for the environment.
Visitors got a lesson on composting from experts who specialize in turning food waste into fertilizer for gardens.
“We learned about worm composting, that was pretty cool. You can put your food scraps in worm bin and the worms will eat them” said another shopper.
Green said her store celebrates Earth Day everyday not just one day a year. The store sells lots of local products mainly made in the U.S.
A new natural tea company in Little Rock also set up outside to discuss the benefits of kombucha.
“Kombucha is a fermented tea that has been drank for thousands of years; it helps with your health and digestive system. It’s a part of our entire tea bar where we talk about drinking tea, slowing down, having a community and conversation,” Green said.
Earth Day's mission is to diversify, educate and activate environmental change all over the globe.
The movement will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020.