Happy Earth Day!

As we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement, brands large and small are using the day as a way to promote their own eco-friendly initiatives and inspire consumers to take small steps towards living a more sustainable lifestyle. Here is just a small sample of what some brands are doing during Earth Day 2009:

GenGreen
GenGreen LLC and Cooler Inc. launched an innovative Facebook application called "Every day is Earth Day". For the days leading up to Earth Day, this application delivered helpful tips and suggestions for ways individuals can decrease the environmental impact of their daily routine in a small, but significant manner.

Marcal
The paper products company set up a 15-foot-high roll of toilet paper and a grove of trees in Manhattan’s Times Square to celebrate Earth Day, promote recycling and unveil a new line of paper products, Small Steps, made entirely from recycled paper. In a recent NorthJersey.com article Marcal CEO Tim Spring said, “Our research shows that shoppers are looking for ways to help the environment, but they may not know how. “Small Steps products achieve that without compromising on performance … and without paying a premium for the simple privilege of being green.”

Macy’s
In celebration of National Park Week and Earth Day, Macy’s partnered with the National Park Foundation and local nonprofit organizations that work to protect and conserve the environment to help raise awareness and generate funds for environment-friendly causes across the country. Macy's Turn Over a New Leaf campaign is designed to support, educate and inspire eco-friendly practices in everyday life, and includes special promotions and merchandise. Last year’s event raised more than $2.9 million for the National Park Foundation.

Reynolds Wrap
Reynolds Wrap offered consumers a free roll of its new recycled aluminum wrap on Aprill 22nd. The mail-in rebate is available for download only on April 22nd and is only valid in the US. And for those prone to forgetting such important dates and times, Reynolds offered a free email reminder.

Staples
The office supply store giant is offered $50 rebates towards the purchase of a new printer to consumers who brought in an old printer for recycling. During its 2008 event, Staples recycled more than 100,000 printers. In addition it is offering free recycling on any and all computer equipment on Earth Day.

SunChips
Is launching “compostable, organic-based packaging” this year with a full compostable bag set to premiere on Earth Day 2010. The brand had a commercial showing a time lapse of the 100% biodegradable bag decomposing over 14 weeks which will aired during American Idol (the day before Earth Day) followed by a social/video web campaign. In addition a sample of the material can be found in print ads running in People as well as point-of-purchase displays.

Timberland
As part of its 2009 sponsorship of the Green Apple Festival, Timberland ran a series of outdoor environment-themed events in 10 U.S. cities such as sponsoring bike park posts in Denver and offering free “pedicab” rides in Washington from April 15-21. In addition, the apparel company launched an “Earthkeeper Contest” to help promote its Earthkeepers product line.

Tropicana
In partnership with Cool Earth, Tropicana will protect 100 square feet of forest in Peru’s Ashaninka Corridor for every person who visits HYPERLINK "http://www.tropicanarainforest.com" http://www.tropicanarainforest.com and enters the 11-character code found on many of its orange juice containers. “Rescue the Rainforest” will actually go on through the end of 2009.

Walt Disney
The Walt Disney Studios celebrated Earth Day 2009 with the debut of Earth, the first feature-length nature documentary from its new production banner, Disneynature. Disney will plant one tree for every moviegoer that hits the theaters during its opening week. 

What did you do for Earth Day 2009?  Click here to share your story!