April is Aveda's Earth Month! What began as a day of awareness in 1990 has grown into a month-long international effort, raising $14.2 million.

Clean water makes a world of difference, and conservation is one of the easiest, most inexpensive ways to prevent water shortages. It's a simple as becoming more aware, and using less each time you use water:

• Use less water in your home and yard to prevent wastewater and pollution from runoff. Sweep driveways and sidewalks, rather than hosing them down.
• Use pesticides sparingly—if at all—and compost leaves and yard clippings for use as natural fertilizer in your garden or yard.
• Pick up—and properly dispose of—pet waste, trash and other debris in your neighborhood; street gutters and storm drains often run directly into lakes, streams, rivers and wetlands.
• Keep your car clean and green: choose a professional car wash that recycles its water; promptly repair auto leaks; and recycle used motor oil—a single quart that seeps into groundwater can pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water*.
• Properly recycle electronics, appliances, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), silver batteries and paint to keep toxic pollutants out of your water.
  
  * Source: National Resources Defense Council, "How to Clean Up Our Water," 2001