One Person Can Make a Difference - The Ripple Effect of Earth Day

Last year, on the Saturday closest to Earth Day, I was manning my booth at an event and couldn't attend the town-wide cleanup that Spriggits had helped sponsor. But I knew I wanted to contribute even more than being a sponsor, so I decided to host an additional cleanup day for anyone—myself included—who couldn't make it to the Saturday event. Earth Day in 2024 fell on a Monday, so I spread the word for weeks on Spriggits' Facebook, Instagram, and my own personal social media pages, hoping to rally as many hands for the effort as possible.

When the day arrived, I showed up with bags, sanitizer, grabbers, and an unwavering commitment to the cause. Just one person showed up to join me. Was I a little disheartened that more people didn’t come? Of course. But what affected me more was their reaction: which went something like, "Oh, no one else came? I’m just one person, so I won’t make a difference. I think I’ll just go get lunch instead." I politely disagreed, assuring them that every single person makes an impact, but they left anyway. And so, I set out alone to make that impact myself. Honestly, I think it pushed me to do even more that day. Each time I felt my muscled burning from squatting to collect tossed bottles I remembered that conversation.

I spent five hours walking through three different areas of Rockland, two of which were close together but expansive enough to count separately. In those five hours, I filled six contractor-sized trash bags completely to the brim or until it was too heavy to fill anymore. It was astonishing. Rockland is a relatively clean town, yet the sheer amount of waste I collected, just days after the official town cleanup, was jaw dropping. Look at all that litter!

I don’t share this story to shame the person who didn’t stay or the people do didn't come because they had a similar mentality. I share it to emphasize the power of an individuals actions.

Looking back on that day, I realize just how much impact a single person can have. Here’s what I learned:

💚 Connection Creates Change – By expressing my concerns to my town, I was introduced to our sustainability coordinator, who not only supported my efforts but also helped me find meaningful ways to get involved.

💚 Removing Barriers Encourages Action – I donated both time and resources to ensure that as many people as possible could participate, making sure cost was never a reason someone felt they couldn’t contribute.

💚 Leading by Example Inspires Others – Even when no one else showed up that day, I did. I showed that someone cares, and people took notice. Strangers stopped to thank me, and in that moment, I knew I was planting seeds of inspiration.

💚 One Action Prevents Countless Harmful Outcomes – The six contractor bags of trash I collected weren’t just litter; they were potential hazards. I helped prevent:

• Wildlife from ingesting plastic and suffering deadly health consequences.

• Children from stumbling upon dangerous waste like broken glass or discarded needles.

• Drivers from losing visibility due to windblown debris, reducing accident risks.

💚 Small Actions Create Big Change – Every movement starts somewhere. A single person picking up trash may not seem world-changing, but their actions can inspire another, and another—until that first small ripple turns into a wave.

Even though the Monday event turned into a solo adventure, the Saturday one was a huge success. Despite the rain, over 60 volunteers showed up to clean the waterfront, proving that the love for our environment runs deep in this community. They collected over 4 thousand pieces of debris, which is both amazing and horrifying there was that much to collect. This year, we’re building on that momentum. We are once again supporting the community cleanup. Spriggits has been working with a group of awesome individuals in our community since January for this years clean up efforts. We have analyzed all the things that went so well last year and the things that could use improvement and we are pumped to invite you all to take part in this community event. If you are not a Rockland native then I hope you will consider joining us in spirit by taking part in whatever you can wherever you are. Reach out to your town because maybe there is a cleanup that's local to you that you could jump in on. If not then maybe its worth mentioning to the town to start one up or go solo because even one persons actions have a big ripple effect. Remember that your voice is heard. Your words and values are shared (hello social media). Your actions and behaviors are seen and repeated.

Beyond last years clean up and this years, Spriggits is continuing to weave environmental stewardship into everything we do. Because Spriggits isn’t just about skincare—it’s about connection. Connection to the Earth, to our communities, and to the values that guide us. The calendula in our bath soaks would not grow without healthy soil and pollinators. The salts we use, sourced from the seas, would not remain pure if pollution continues unchecked. Every ingredient we rely on is a gift from the planet, and it’s our responsibility to give back.

You don’t need to wait for Earth Day to start making a difference. Every day is an opportunity to create change. But if you need a little inspiration, let this Earth Day be your catalyst. Challenge yourself to get involved, take action, and show appreciation for the planet that gives us life. Together, we can protect, respect, and restore the Earth—one small act at a time.