CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – This Friday is Earth Day, and it’s a good reminder to do what we can to take care of the planet. Whether you’re planting a tree or separating your recyclables, any act big or small makes a difference.

Here are some ways that you can take part in nurturing the planet, this Earth Day and beyond.

Composting in Clarksville

Composting is essentially using natural waste to promote growth, and it’s good for gardening, said Karla Gargus, county coordinator for Master Gardeners, which is supported by the Montgomery County Extension Office.

“(You can use) basically anything in the kitchen except meat or fat products. So, if you’ve got potato peels, banana peels, apples, eggshells, or things of that nature, you can build a compost bin and recycle those things,” Gargus told Clarksville Now.

As the natural waste breaks down, it turns into humus, which is great for use in your garden or with your houseplants.

Unfortunately, Clarksville does not have a composting program, according to Gargus, but there is a place where you can buy compost or drop off your own. The Compost Company has a location off of Highway 12 in Ashland City at 3643 Highway 12. Their hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Recycling centers

Another small thing you can do to make a big difference is recycling. You can recycle glass, paper, and various plastics. Check with your local recycling center to see what types of recyclables they take.

Bi-County Waste: 3212 Dover Road. Hours: Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bo Peep Convenience/Recycling Center: 191 Bo Peep Lane. Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Clarksville Transfer/Dump Center: 1309 Tylertown Road. Hours: Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

County Landfill: 3212 Dover Road, Woodlawn. Hours: Monday through Friday – 5:30 am to 4 pm, Saturday – 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ferry Road Convenience Center: 2351 Ferry Road. Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fredonia Center: 4675 Ashland City Highway (Highway 12). Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jones Recycling: 1171 Gupton Lane. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Landfill Convenience Center: 3212 Dover Road, Woodlawn. Hours: Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Lui Heimansohn New Steel: 211 Gatlin St. Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Montgomery County Recycling: 600 Barge Point Road. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

MPG Transport: 1309 Tylertown Road. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Palmyra/Shiloh Canaan Center: 3880 Shiloh Road (Canaan Shiloh and Buck Smith Roads). Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Recycling & Convenience Center: 6802 A Shau Valley Road. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Sunday noon – 4 p.m.

Sango Convenience Center: 77 Quail Hollow Road. Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Southside Center: 1112 Highway 48 (Southside Road/Highway 48). Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

St. Bethlehem/Arcata Center: 3801 Guthrie Highway (Highway 79 North). Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

St. Bethlehem Construction and Demolition Landfill: 4577 Guthrie Highway (Highway 79 North, at Exit 4 on Interstate 24). Hours: Monday-Friday – 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Transfer Station: 1230 Highway Drive. Hours: Monday-Sunday,  7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Other initiatives

Earth Day Celebration and Shred Day: The city of Clarksville will be hosting this event on Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to noon at Clarksville Gas & Water, 2215 Madison St. Bring documents to shred, recycle and prevent ID theft. There will also be Styrofoam recycling by Red Knight Distributing. Meet businesses and nonprofits such as Beekeepers, Master Gardeners, Sierra Club, Great American Cleanup and more.

Native Plant Sale: Anyone with a green thumb can take home a piece of the Austin Peay State University campus during the APSU Grounds Department’s second annual Native Plant Sale. There will be over 1,000 plants for sale, and you can order them online. Buyers will be able to pick up their order from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on April 29 or from 9 a.m.-noon on April 30 on the APSU campus, at the corner of Eighth and Farris streets.

Earth Care Celebration: On Saturday, April 30, from 3-4 p.m. in the Downtown Commons, several local churches will gather for thanksgiving and prayer. Speakers will examine our responsibility to safeguard all of creation for future generations and how our faiths call us to respond with bold and just solutions to climate change.

Adopt-A-Street: Volunteers adopt a stretch of roadway and agree to pick up litter along their adopted street. In return, the Street Department will post a sign with the name of the volunteer or organization. The program requires an application to be filled out and turned in at the Street Department office, 199 S. 10th Street. Pick up an application in person, or print one from the Street Department’s page here.

To see more about Austin Peay State University’s sustainability efforts, visit here.

For more information on what you can do to keep the Earth clean, visit here.