Like any other day, millions of people around the world wake up and reach for their usual routine: coffee, errands, work or maybe a quick trip to the store. But despite the normalcy of it all, something shifts.

For some, it means coffee is served in a reusable mug instead of a disposable cup. 

The item that was almost bought brand new becomes something thrifted, with a story of its own. 

And this time, products bought from the store aren’t wrapped in layers of plastic, but chosen with a little more intention, lasting a little longer and wasting a little less. 

Nothing about this day looks dramatically different. Yet, for some people, everyday choices begin to feel a little lighter. 

On Earth Day, which this year is Wednesday, the realization that small changes add up to something big is felt around the world. In Colorado Springs, reimagining a typical routine can become the start of everlasting change.

With plenty of places to make those small shifts, the green city is offering green solutions this April, helping locals recycle, reuse and rethink old mindsets.

Here are five ways to spend Earth Day across town.

Looking for a hands-on activity? Who Gives a SCRAP store has you covered

Tucked inside a modest storefront at 810 Arcturus Drive, Who Gives a SCRAP feels less like a store and more like a sustainable treasure hunt for local crafters.

Looking for a way to be creative and eco-friendly? This donation-based craft store has everything from fabric scraps and sewing patterns to old books, buttons and bins of mismatched game pieces. 

The kind of items that might otherwise end up in a landfill are now waiting for a second life, inviting Coloradans to test their imagination with reusable products.

Shaped entirely by community donations since 2015, the shop has carved out a niche in creative reuse, giving artists, teachers and hobbyists access to affordable supplies while keeping usable materials out of the waste stream. 

According to their website, items that can’t be sold are passed along to local partners, ensuring nothing goes to waste and allowing one person’s leftovers to become someone else’s next project.

Need to go grocery shopping? Stock your shelves the sustainable way

As a Colorado Springs staple, located at 1625 W. Uintah St., Mountain Mama Natural Foods has been serving the community since 1979.

Inside, aisles are filled with locally sourced produce, bulk foods, herbs and everyday essentials, alongside vitamins, natural body care products and a selection of frozen and perishable goods. 

For those looking to cut back on packaging, the bulk selection offers a simple way to buy what you need while reducing waste.

Beyond groceries, the store’s in-house bakery and deli add another layer of convenience, making it easy to grab something fresh without relying on heavily packaged options.

More than four decades in, Mountain Mama Natural Foods remains a go-to for those looking to shop with intention, proving that sustainable choices can start with something as routine as a grocery run.

Gear up to become an eco-friendly explorer 

Want to spend Earth Day enjoying Colorado’s mountains, rivers and trails without spending a fortune on gear? Mountain Equipment Recyclers on 2222 Bott Ave. has you covered. 

From camping and backpacking to skiing, cycling, climbing and fly fishing, MER offers a mix of new and used outdoor gear, allowing locals to reuse for a fraction of the equipment’s original price.

Founded in 2010, MER became a social business that gives back. All net profits support local nonprofits, environmental programs and community initiatives like open space preservation and the Pedal Station Community Bike Center.

With a daily-changing inventory and a mission to keep Coloradans exploring while supporting the community, MER makes sustainable outdoor adventure accessible for everyone. 

Feel like shopping? Try these secondhand spots

Reusing and upcycling clothing and household items is one of the easiest ways to shrink your environmental footprint, and Colorado Springs has no shortage of thrift and consignment stores to explore. 

Here’s a list of some thrift and resale shops around town worth checking out.

• New Horizons Thrift Store, 3333 N. Academy Blvd.
• Goodwill, multiple locations
• Arc Thrift Stores, multiple locations
• Sisters’ Thrift & Boutique, 8674 N. Union Blvd.
• Uptown Cheapskate North Academy, 5915 N. Academy Blvd.
• Rescued Hearts Unique Boutique, 3314 Austin Bluffs Parkway
• Silver Key Thrift Store, 1605 S. Murray Blvd.
• Crossfire Mission Thrift Store, 3975 N. Academy Blvd.

Eat your way toward sustainability

Supporting local, eco-minded eateries is an easy way to celebrate Earth Day, and Colorado Springs has several spots that make it both delicious and mindful.

Misty Mountain Collective, a downtown coffee shop located at 705 N. Nevada Ave., offers drinks to-go in reusable Mason jars and features walls adorned with local art, blending community engagement with zero-waste principles.

For a sit-down meal, Evergreen Restaurant at 830 N. Tejon St. focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and thoughtfully crafted dishes that honor both flavor and sustainability. 

Meanwhile, The Happy Cow at 2902 W. Colorado Ave. in Old Colorado City serves scratch-made items, from pastured-raised burgers to organic lattes, making it easy for diners to enjoy a meal with an environmentally conscious mindset.

From coffee to lunch, these local establishments let Earth Day visitors support sustainability without sacrificing taste.