Houstonist Celebrates Earth Day

Tomorrow, April 22, you can hug every tree you see and no one will judge you, we promise. That's because it's Earth Day, which was founded in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as a means to raise awareness about the environment. Today it is celebrated by more than 180 nations and is thought to be the world's most widely observed secular holiday. If you would like to be more eco-conscious but don't know where to begin, Houstonist is here to make it easy for you. In honor of Earth Day tomorrow we've put together a few simple things you can do to show the planet some love. Click through to read more.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user woodleywonderworks

Find out more about the city's recycling programs. By visiting the city's recycling website, you can learn all you need to know about curbside recycling in your zipcode and neighborhood drop-off sites for those areas not serviced by curbside recycling. Some of the neighborhood drop-off sites, like the
Westpark Consumer Recycling Center, accept the usual recyclables (plastics, aluminum, paper) as well as used motor oil, used tires and electronic scraps. Bonus for all you recessionistas: the ReStore located inside the Westpark facility contains a book swap and a collection of scraps that the websites suggests can be used for art projects.

Find a solution to you commuting woes. Metro provides vanpool services that can match you up by your home and work addresses. You can use the database to find an existing vanpool or you can contact RideShare directly at RideShare@ridemetro.org to get your name on a list.

If vanpools aren't your thing, you can join NuRide, a free online service that gives you points every time you carpool, bike or take public transportation. Points add up to rewards from NuRide's sponsors. NuRide will also match you up with carpooling partners for just about any trip, including daily commutes.

Skip the upfront costs on Earth Day and make use of reusable products. On Earth Day you can take advantage of freebies to get you on your way to reducing your footprint. The Disney store is giving away a free reusable water bottle per person in exchange for 3 plastic bottles. You can also score a free reusable shopping bag for every five plastic bags you bring to HEB stores from 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. These offers are on Earth Day only, but even if you miss out the upfront costs for reusable bottles and shopping bags are nominal compared to the heart-warming satisfaction you will derive from reusing them.

Attend one of the free informational (and fun!) Earth Day events around town. (All events occur on Wednesday, April 22)

Earth Day Celebration at University of Houston - Downtown
10:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M.
One Main Street
South Deck

Celebrate Earth Day on the South deck over-looking downtown (does that count as irony?). Activities include a farmers market, green living demonstrations, giveaways and live music.

For more information, contact Liza Alonzo at AlonzoL@uhd.edu

City of Houston - Code Enforcement Green Building Resource Center
Pre-Opening Event
5:00 P.M to 7:00 P.M.
3300 Main Street

Get your building plans reviewed for green strategies that can save energy and money. Visitors can also attend demonstrations, browse samples and ask questions of the staff. Did we mention there will be refreshments?

For more information, contact Steve Stelzer 713-535-7508 or Steve.Stelzer@cityofhouston.net

City of Houston Earth Day Community Forum
National Conversation on Climate Action
7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
UH Campus
M.D. Anderson Memorial Library
Rockwell Pavilion
4800 Calhoun Road

At this event you can learn how to save money by "greening" your home or business, and get advice on a personal energy action plan. You will also hear about how the city is taking steps to build a more eco-friendly community, something Houston has taken a beating for in recent press.

Seating is limited, so you must RSVP. Send an email with the subject "National Conversation" and your name to ryan.foshee@iclei.org

For more information, go to http://www.climateconversation.org

Houston Astros Earth Day Expo
Before and during the game against the L.A. Dodgers
Game time 7:00 P.M.
Minute Maid Park
501 Crawford Street

If you're going to be at the game why not stop by and chat with the folks from Keep Houston Beautiful and other area environmental agencies? Score freebies like Green recycled materials cap with the "Astros Play Green" logo (given away to the first 10,000 fans) and CFL lightbulbs at the CF Gate after the game (500 given away by Reliant Energy). The players will wear the green field caps, and after the game there will be an online auction of the caps with proceeds going to the Astros in Action Foundation.

Houston Medical Center Earth Day Symposium
11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
6550 Bertner (at Moursund)

If you are in the medical center be sure to stop by the Earth Day Symposium, where you can learn how the Medical Center is going green. Special events include electric car rides (!), a roulette wheel of eco-prizes and a demonstration solar house. Many of the exhibitors will be handing out eco-freebies like fluorescent bulbs and tree seedlings. You can also bring your old eyeglasses and cell phones to be recycled.

For more information, contact EarthDay@HMCRC.org.