A Look Back: The Origins of Earth Day

The modern environmental movement started gaining momentum in the late 1960s, and Earth Day was born out of growing public concern over pollution, deforestation, and environmental degradation.

1970 – A Turning Point

• On January 1, 1970, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law, setting the stage for environmental regulation in the U.S.
• April 22, 1970, marked the very first Earth Day, led by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. It brought together 20 million Americans in a unified demonstration for environmental reform.
• Later that year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established to oversee and enforce environmental laws.

Throughout the 1970s, major environmental legislation followed, including:

• The Water Quality Improvement Act
• The Resource Recovery Act
• The Endangered Species Act
• The Safe Drinking Water Act
• The Toxic Substances Control Act
• The Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and more

These laws laid the foundation for how we manage, protect, and preserve our environment today.

2025 – Celebrate Earth Day with Shredding Services

Fast forward to today, and the mission of Earth Day remains as vital as ever. One simple but powerful way to contribute is by using professional shredding services. Here’s how shredding can make a real environmental impact:

1. Protect Your Privacy, Sustainably

Shredding isn’t just about getting rid of paper. It’s about securely destroying sensitive information—like medical records, financial documents, and client data—so it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. By partnering with a shredding provider like Infoshred, you’re not only protecting privacy but doing it responsibly, with the environment in mind.

2. Stay Compliant

Using professional shredding services helps businesses stay compliant with data protection regulations such as GDPR and other regional privacy laws. Compliance doesn’t just protect your company, it also reflects a commitment to ethical, sustainable practices.

3. Save Trees

Every ton of recycled paper saves about 17 trees. When you shred and recycle old documents, you directly reduce the demand for virgin paper and help preserve forests, which are vital to the planet’s biodiversity and carbon balance.

4. Promote the Recycling Loop

After shredding, your paper doesn’t end up in a landfill—it’s sent to recycling facilities where it can be turned into new products. This keeps materials in use longer and reduces the need for raw resources like wood pulp.

5. Cut Down on Landfill Waste

Paper waste in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. Shredding and recycling your documents means less waste sitting in landfills and fewer harmful emissions entering the atmosphere.

6. Conserve Energy

Creating new paper from recycled material uses less energy than starting from scratch. Shredding supports the circular economy and reduces the environmental toll of paper manufacturing.

7. Spread the Word

Hosting or joining a community shredding event is a great way to raise awareness. These events are fun, educational, and promote responsible document disposal. Plus, they give people a tangible way to participate in Earth Day.

8. Encourage Ongoing Sustainability

Consistently using shredding and recycling services reflects a long-term commitment to sustainable business practices. Clients and employees notice when organizations walk the talk on environmental responsibility.

9. Make a Meaningful Impact

Shredding might seem like a small act, but when done right, it creates a ripple effect—less waste, more recycling, and a cleaner planet. It’s a simple way to celebrate Earth Day in a way that truly matters.

Partner with Infoshred for Earth-Friendly Shredding

At Infoshred, we’re proud to support businesses and individuals in protecting both their data and the planet. Our document destruction services are:

• Secure – Designed to meet compliance and security standards
• Sustainable – 100% of shredded paper is recycled
• Flexible – Options for on-site and off-site shredding

Let’s make this Earth Day count—not just for one day, but all year long.

Call us today at 860-627-5800 or complete the form on this page to get started with environmentally-responsible shredding services.