The first Earth Day took place in 1970, with an estimated 20 million people in the U.S. participating in marches and protests. Now, an estimated one billion people participate in Earth Day worldwide.

How will you celebrate Earth Day?

Do One Green Thing You’ve Been Meaning to Do

• Recycling is all about organization. Take a few minutes on Earth Day to get organized and research local recycling options.

• Buy reusable shopping bags.

• Support local farmers. Check LocalHarvest.org for information about local farmer’s markets, CSA shares (community supported agriculture), and pick-your-own farms. (While you’re at it, plan a tour of a local farm. Your kids will learn so much!)

• See if you can borrow a Kill-A-Watt from your local library to check energy consumption throughout your home. Elementary and middle school kids love playing with this device & it could save you money!

• Start composting.

Plant Flowers, a Tree, or a Garden

• Herbs are easy and relatively inexpensive.

• With a first garden, start simple. Choose veggies that self-pollinate and produce high yields like tomatoes, self-pollinating beans or peas, and carrots.

• Think you don’t have enough room for a garden? You’d be surprised what you can grow in containers or in a square-foot garden.

• Pollinator gardens are beautiful and great for the honeybees. (Learn more about colony collapse disorder & the effect on our food supply.)

Great Books about Gardening with Kids:

• Roots Shoots Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children

• Ready Set Grow

• Wildlife Gardening

More Earth Day Fun

• Upcycled Crafts

• Read “The Lorax,” a Dr. Seuss book about conservation. Or visit The Lorax Project or Suessville web sites. For ages 4-8.

• Give your child the book Mission: Planet Earth. Astronaut Sally Ride teams up with scientist Tam O’Shaughnessy to write this book about how water, air, and other climate systems shape our world — and how a disruption in one part of the system can spread through the entire planet. For ages 9-14.

• For more Earth Day book ideas, see the list of books for kids at: http://us.macmillan.com/all/editorslist/Childrens/EarthDay

Lights for Life is a small non-profit that collects and recycles string lights (and other items that contain copper). They sell the copper for recycling and the proceeds are donated to a family that has a child battling cancer. (Some ACE Hardware stores serve as drop-off locations.)

There are several holiday light distributors that accept old string lights via mail. They recycle them and send you a coupon for 10 to 25 percent off purchases of new lights or holiday decorations.

For more information, visit these websites:

• Christmas Light Source – This company donates proceeds from the recycled lights to the Marine Toys for Tots program.
• Holiday LEDs
• Environmental LED

Looking for a local recycling option? Search “string lights” at Earth911.com.

The Home Depot has a Christmas Light Trade-In program each year in early November. In 2010, each string of lights was worth a $3 discount on any purchase. If this is the last year you’ll be using your old string lights, mark your calendar to check Home Depot’s website for details in October 2011.

Kids Can Help Conserve Energy

• Teach your kids to turn off lights that are not in use.  They should also turn off computers and electronics that are not in use.  Better yet, unplug electronics or use a power strip and turn it off.
• Teaching kids to take shorter showers will save water as well as reduce the energy required to heat water.
• The refrigerator is one of the biggest energy hogs in the house.  Teach your kids to keep the door closed until they know what they want to eat.
• Kids can also learn about energy consumption by using a Kill-A-Watt, which is available at many libraries.  When they realize how much energy the clothes dryer uses, they may be willing to hang your clothes on the line!

Kids Can Become Mindful Consumers

• Middle schoolers and adults alike can gain perspective when you read about landfill toys.   When kids understand how cheap plastic toys end up in the landfills and the effect of plastic on the environment, they may ask for fewer toys. 

Environmental Education: Websites, Books & DVDs for Kids

• The EPA has a Climate Change site just for kids.
• Visit the EPA’s Recycle City and play the Dumptown Game.
• PBS Kids maintains the ZOOM site, by kids for kids.
• Mother Nature Network has a list of eco-themed books and DVDs perfect for kids.
• The National Park Service has created LearnNPS for kids.

Allconnect Launches Unique Marketing Tool for Real Estate Pros

New, free online system lets brokers create custom brochures about home services for clients

SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2010 – Allconnect – the leading comparison shopping and connections marketplace for essential home services – today unveiled a new, unique customer service and marketing tool at Real Estate Connect 2010 created specifically for real estate professionals. ConnectMyBuyer.com is an innovative, free system that delivers benefits to both realtors and their customers.

By accessing Allconnect’s ConnectMyBuyer.com, realtors can input a client’s address and create an individualized email or flyer that lists contact information for water, waste, gas, and electric services.  It also includes a summary of the television, Internet, and phone service plans available for the specific location.  New home buyers can compare providers, plans, and rates, with no obligation to purchase.

“ConnectMyBuyer is designed with both the homeowner and the realtor in mind,” said Glenn Goad, Allconnect Chief Strategy Officer.  “The homeowner has access to information about special offers, can explore which plan is right for them, and get best-price guarantees. Realtors can provide customer service that exceeds expectations while standing out from the competition.”

ConnectMyBuyer.com is already in use at Allconnect’s real estate partners, including Harry Norman Realtors, Home123, Keller Williams Realty: The Rawls Group, RE/MAX Executives, and Prudential Palms Realty.

“Our comprehensive database is regularly updated to have the latest information from service providers. The front-end technology is easy to use. The combination gives realtors hassle-free access to a powerful personal brand enhancer,” said Allconnect’s Goad.

About Allconnect
Allconnect is the leading provider for connecting consumers with household services including satellite TV, cable TV, Internet, phone, home security systems, and natural gas and electric utilities.  The company offers a convenient, simple, and objective one-stop source for comparing options and pricing, whether consumers are transferring or establishing household services during a move or simply wanting to ensure they are on the best plan for their budget.  This service is offered at no charge, online or by phone.  Founded in 1998, Allconnect has connected over 20 million people through its partnerships with more than 30 utility companies and hundreds of service providers across the U.S.  Allconnect employs more than 500 associates and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with offices in St. George, Utah; Danville, Virginia; and Mexico.  Realtors can learn more at ConnectMyBuyer.com.  Customers can visit Allconnect.com or call a Home Services Consultant at 800-930-1940.

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA, March 9, 2010 – Customers who order or transfer their home services using Allconnect, Inc., are finding more than convenience, choice, and the best price.  Throughout 2010, Allconnect is donating $1 to Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA) for every order placed at www.allconnect.com.

The $1 donation is made when a Georgia customer orders or transfers home services, including satellite TV, cable TV, Internet, phone, home security systems, natural gas and electricity, through Allconnect’s free one-stop online resource.

This fundraising effort is in addition to Allconnect’s ongoing sponsorship of Special Olympics Georgia and volunteer efforts of employees.  Allconnect employees volunteered at the State Indoor Winter Games in January, assisting athletes at the craft tables in between athletic events.  They will also be participating at SOGA’s fundraiser, Race for Champions Annual 5K Fun Run on May 22, as well as the Duck Derby fundraiser on June 25.

“Having a donation made each time an online order is placed is an easy, free way for customers to support Special Olympics Georgia,” said Mark Miller, Allconnect CEO. “Special Olympics is one of the most respected sports organizations in the world.  It’s inspiring to watch these athletes overcome challenges and excel. We are proud to support them through donations and volunteering.”

About Allconnect
Allconnect is the leading provider for connecting consumers with household services including satellite TV, cable TV, Internet, phone, home security systems, and natural gas and electric utilities.  The company offers a convenient, simple, and objective one-stop source for comparing options and pricing, whether consumers are transferring or establishing household services during a move or simply wanting to ensure they are on the best plan for their budget.  This service is offered at no charge, online or by phone.  Founded in 1998, Allconnect has connected over 20 million people through its partnerships with more than 30 utility companies and hundreds of service providers across the U.S.  Allconnect employs more than 500 associates and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with offices in St. George, Utah; Danville, Virginia; and Mexico.  Keep up with Special Olympics Georgia events at www.facebook.com/allconnect.

Going green? Got recycling questions? We may not know the answers, but we’ve compiled a list of sites with the recycling information and facts you need.

The following sites answer basic questions: Can I recycle glassware with my bottles? (no), Can I recycle a pizza box with cardboard? (probably not), Where can I recycle magazines or junk mail/office paper? (search Earth911.org by zip code).

Earth911: Visit the web site to find a local recycling facility or call 1-800-CLEANUP for residential recycling information for your state.

The World’s Shortest Comprehensive Recycling Guide: Answers to common recycling questions. (From the web site: Bad to recycle — Ceramics, pyrex, tableware, windows, lightbulbs, mirrors. Broken glass is hard to sort.)

What to Recycle Quick List from A Recycling Revolution: This is a list of the most commonly recycled household items and the typical rules for recycling them.

21 Things You Didn’t Know You Can Recycle: This article from the Environmental News Network has a list of ideas and resources for recycling appliances, batteries, compact fluorescent bulbs, exercise videos, motor oil, and sports equipment.

Run the Planet: Find a place to recycle or donate your old shoes.

GreenDisk recycles computer-related items from CDs to rechargeable batteries to computers. Staples has a program that recycles computer, printers, ink and toner cartridges, cell phones and rechargeable batteries.

For items that cannot be recycled, you’ll just have to put them out at the curb. But first, make sure you compare local trash removal companies and their rates at Allconnect.

Recycling is all about organization. Here’s how you get started: first, call your garbage collection company or local municipality and ask if they pick up recycling. If they do, ask what they accept and how much they charge.

Most companies will accept #1 and #2 plastics, aluminum, and glass. Some will also accept tin cans, paper, and cardboard.

If your current trash pickup company does not accept recycling, you may be able to find another company that does or you can locate drop-off recycling center in your area.

Regardless, there will probably be some items that won’t be picked up; and you’ll need to find a drop-off location. Search Earth911. Hopefully, you’ll find a recycling center that takes everything you want to recycle. Look for a facility that accepts cardboard, paperboard (like cereal boxes), tin cans, glass bottles, magazines, and office paper.

Whether you’re putting your recycling by the curb or taking it to a facility, know the rules. For example, a recycling center may accept clear drink bottles labeled with #1 or #2, but refuse to accept the hard plastic caps to the bottles.

Gimme5 is a good option for #5 plastics, which includes many food containers.

You should also recycle phone books, newspapers, and catalogs. If these are not accepted at your recycling facility, look for drop-off bins at government buildings, like the post office or public schools. Many grocery stores accept plastic bags for recycling. Some municipalities accept food waste for compost piles.

IKEA stores take used CFL bulbs, which are hazardous to throw away. RadioShack takes many rechargeable batteries (think cell phones and laptops).

Save packing peanuts for a local small business that ships items out regularly. Or, call your local FedEx/Kinkos, UPS Store, or Mailboxes Etc. Many will take them and reuse them.

Earth911 is a good resource to find recycling options for everything from electronics to motor oil, from mattresses to construction materials. Or, you can join Freecycle to give away old electronics.

Set up bins or shoeboxes to collect each type of item that needs to be recycled. You’ll be much more successful if you’re organized about collecting the recycling.  Thank you for reducing waste and its negative impact on our environment.  Good luck!

We’ve all seen the retailers that collect old cell phones for various charities, but what is the eco-friendly way to keep other electronics out of the landfills? Try Freecycle groups.

The Freecycle Network is a non-profit organization. Powered by nearly 10,000 volunteers, Freecycle includes 4,868 groups with 6.8 million members.  Membership is free. Everything posted on Freecycle is also free. (If you want to sell something, try Craigslist or eBay.) You can see the other rules at Freecycle.org.

Once you’ve joined your local Freecycle group, you can post a message to the group’s listserv  announcing an item that you want to give away. There are a lot of people that want your TV with the bad picture, old modems and routers, discarded keyboards, or ancient computer monitors. And they will even pick the items up. You can clean out your garage and basement without leaving the house!

You can even list items that are broken as long as you disclose the information. There are handy people out there who will pick up your junk and repair it.

Freecycle is also a good place to score old electronics, including cell phones, chargers for phones, laptops, and toys. You can also give away — or get — clothes, toys, furniture, and appliances.

Tired of recycling catalogs you didn’t want in the first place? Tired of being put on hold when you call companies to be taken off their mailing lists?

Help save our environment and cut down on the frustration of unwanted mail by asking to be removed from junk mail lists or opt-out of the list. Another option is to use the free services of CatalogChoice.org and DoNotMail.org to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive.

41pounds.org guarantees it will stop 80-95% of the junk mail that your household receives for 5 years, for a fee of $41 ($8.20 per year). The company’s partner Eco-Cycle gives you information on reducing junk mail if you’d prefer to do the leg work yourself.

Alarming junk mail facts:

• An average of 41 pounds of junk mail is sent to every adult citizen each year.
• Approximately 44% of this mail goes into a landfill unopened. — 41pounds.org
• More than 100,000,000,000 pieces of junk mail are delivered each year—that’s more than 800 pieces per household. In fact, junk mail in the United States accounts for one-third of all the mail delivered in the world. …We spend 8 months of our lives dealing with junk mail. — DoNotMail.org
• 19 billion catalogs are mailed to American consumers each year. To produce this amount of paper takes 53 million trees and the same amount of energy it takes to power 1.2 million homes per year. It also results 53 billion gallons of wastewater and 5.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. — CatalogChoice.org