Planting Seeds of Change - Celebrating Earth Day + Accent's Commitments

Let’s be honest, Earth Day often gets forgotten about… kind of like that houseplant you meant to water but didn’t. (No judgment - been there. Though honestly, my problem is usually overwatering!)

But here’s the thing, our planet isn’t just a background setting - it’s the very stage to everything we do for work and for play, and it needs us just as much as we need it.

At Accent, we’ve been spending some time digging into (pun intended) what sustainability really means to us. Spoiler alert: it’s more than just swapping plastic straws for paper ones or trying to print less at the office. It’s about nurturing the garden we’re already in - our city, our neighborhoods, our team and our industry. Earth isn’t a garden we stumbled into by accident, it’s one we’re responsible for tending to - we are the gardeners.

So this Earth Day, we’re not just celebrating - we’re committing ourselves to being better. We want to share a few ways to celebrate & make micro changes, along with a peek into what we’re doing to make a difference.

5 Creative Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

1. Visualize the impact. The average American creates about 4.9 pounds of trash every day - that’s roughly 1,800 pounds per person, per year. If trash weighed 2 pounds per cubic foot, Indy’s own Lucas Oil Stadium could hold about 88 million pounds of waste. With Indy’s population just under 900,000, we’d fill it completely field to retractable roof in just 20.4 days. Let that sink in.

2. Take 15 minutes to clean up. Go on a quick walk with a bag and pick up trash in your neighborhood, favorite park, or around your office. It’s shockingly satisfying - and contagious if others see you doing it.

3. Do a “green hour” at work. Invite your team to take an hour to go outside, unplug, journal, walk, breathe, or just be. It’s good for the planet and for our brains.

4. Rethink one routine. Pick something you do all the time - brushing your teeth, ordering lunch, grocery shopping - and ask, “How could I make this more sustainable?” You don’t have to solve world problems. One change is a win.

5. Take a grounding break. Step outside and feel the earth beneath your feet. Grounding (yep, that’s the real term!) has been linked to reduced stress and better sleep. Plus, it’s free and feels kind of magical.

5 Everyday Micro Changes to Make at Home

Making small shifts in your personal space makes it way easier to bring that mindset into events. Sustainability becomes second nature — and that’s when real change starts to grow.

1. Keep a reusable bag (or 3) in your car. It only takes forgetting once at the grocery store to learn this trick the hard way.  I keep a giant basket and some of the boxes from Costco in my trunk.

2. Switch to refillable cleaning supplies. Concentrates and tablets are easy to use and reduce plastic waste dramatically.  I am a Branch Basics girly!

3. Get cozy with a thrift store. Fast fashion = fast landfill. Shopping secondhand is a treasure hunt and a win for the planet.  For my Indy friends, Amanda’s Exchange in Carmel is my favorite.

4. Cut back on extras. Skip the extra napkins, straws, or sauce packets you don’t need. Say no to hotel laundry services unless you really need them. It adds up!

5. Eat what you buy. Food waste is one of the biggest contributors to climate change - planning meals and using leftovers can make a big difference. Plus, if you’re only buying for the week’s plan, you’ll likely save some $$ too.

Accent’s Commitments to a Greener Future

It’s important to us that future generations have the same access to event experiences that we do today, which means taking ownership of the waste that our events create and doing our part in reducing our footprint where possible. We do this by:

• Intentional F&B Planning: Mindfully placing food and beverage orders to ensure enough for everyone while avoiding excess and commonly wasted products

• Advanced Discussions: Partnering closely with food and beverage providers to bring awareness to waste and to develop a strategy for diverting/repurposing waste for each event

• Post-Event Donation: Encouraging post-event signage and supply donation to organizations like Teachers' Treasures

• Foam-Free Floral: Requiring loose arrangements instead of centerpieces that use floral foam, donating floral to local organizations post-event when possible

  
  

No, we’re not perfect, but we’re showing up with our sleeves rolled and our hands in the soil (literally, see pic below!) - because progress starts with small steps and a whole lot of intention.

So this Earth Day, we invite you to pause, breathe deeply (thank or even hug a tree!) and reflect on the garden you’re standing in. What can you nurture today? Let’s dig in, together!

With gratitude and dirty hands,

Sarah

President & Chief Tree Hugger