IMPACTFUL WAYS OUR AAA PARTNERS CELEBRATE EARTH DAY

With Earth Day right around the corner, you might be wondering about ways to celebrate the occasion and reduce your impact on the environment. Luckily, adopting eco-conscious habits doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, money-savvy people everywhere can help the planet by making just a few small lifestyle changes before April 22nd. Take a look at how you can play a part in the guide below and look to AAA to find all the discounts you need to support your eco-friendly goals.

RECYCLING

Sure, you may know what recycling is, and you may have a basic understanding of what items you can and cannot recycle, but could you be doing more? For most people, the answer is yes.

Use the days leading up to April 22nd to learn about all the items you can recycle that you’re probably just throwing away. Think old toothbrushes, razors, cooking oil, crayons, packaging materials and ink cartridges. Also take the time to brush up on your knowledge of local recycling rules, as they differ from location to location.

If you’re looking for other ways to make an impact, AAA works with a range of partners to support innovative, effective recycling programs. Have a look at how you can help below.

Luxottica’s Sustainability Initiatives

Leading Italian eyewear company and AAA Discounts & Rewards partner Luxottica has launched several promising green projects in recent years. 2014 saw the launch of their first biomass-fueled facility, allowing them to offset much of their heating and cooling costs which would otherwise be powered by conventional energy supplies. The company also uses a water-saving galvanizing technique to finish frames and has committed to reforestation efforts in the Dolomite Mountains.

All this is on top of Luxottica's ongoing funding for research into sustainable and recyclable materials, on-site recycling and reclamation programs at their facilities, and products designed for easy disposal, recycling, or refurbishment. When you take advantage of the generous discounts on Luxottica’s products as a AAA member, you’ll be doing your eyes and the planet a favor.

LensCrafters OneSight Program

LensCrafters OneSight program partners the eyewear company with local community groups to offer those most in need the gift of clear sight. For each donation they receive, LensCrafters offers free eye exams, vision care, and prescription glasses to beneficiaries of affiliated organizations. Since its launch in 1988, the OneSight program has helped nearly 10 million people receive the vision care they need. Plus, AAA members can enjoy a range of discounts on everything from eye exams to contact lenses when they visit LensCrafters, further helping the company to continue to provide valuable eye care services the world over.

AAA Battery Disposal

The simple car battery is one of the most important pieces of technology in everyday life. After they’ve outlived their usefulness, however, large numbers of batteries end up in landfills, where the lead and sulfuric acid they contain can cause serious harm to local environments and wildlife.

As part of AAA’s ongoing commitment to minimize environmental impacts, they recycle millions of car batteries every year. When AAA members make use of the battery replacement service, they can rest assured that their old car battery will be disposed of with an EPA-approved recycling facility to both conserve natural resources and protect the environment.

The UPS Store Shredding Services

It can come as a surprise to many, but shredding paper is one of the easiest eco-friendly steps you can take to limit your impact on the planet. Not only is shredded paper easier to recycle and a valuable composting material, but doing so can save large amounts of energy needed to process waste paper at recycling facilities. Plus, shredding paper is a great way to obscure your personal data and protect yourself from misuse of your information.

Whether you generate paper waste at home or at work, you can drop it off at your nearest The UPS store and use your AAA discount to get the best deals on in-store paper shredding services. While there, you can also take advantage of AAA member discounts on printing and copying services, office supplies, and more.

Moving Supplies from Atlas Van Lines

Planning a move this year? Then get all the supplies you need while benefiting the Earth when you work with Atlas Van Lines. Atlas offers boxes and blankets made of recycled material, and well-maintained, efficient trucks equipped with the latest emissions control systems to limit waste and inefficiency to better protect the environment.

By making your next move with Atlas Van Lines, you can do the Earth a favor and take advantage of generous discounts on moving services and packing supplies.

NAPA Green Car Care Products

AAA and NAPA Auto Parts have maintained a relationship for decades to get AAA members excellent prices on the parts and supplies they need to keep their cars in great shape. In honor of Earth Day, you can also look for an extensive range of green car care products for sale at NAPA locations. NAPA stocks a wide variety of products designed to be less impactful on the environment so drivers can limit your carbon footprint and cut down on waste during your auto maintenance routine. What’s more, AAA members get 10% off all purchases at participating NAPA stores.

Electronics Recycling

Smartphones, tablets, PCs - the modern world runs on electronics in any form, in home and at work. However, one of the greatest challenges behind widespread electronics usage is figuring out what to do with a device once you no longer need it.

Many of the materials and components used in phones and computers can be reused, thus saving lots of labor and resources needed to produce new devices. That’s why AAA partners like Samsung, T-Mobile, HP, and Dell all offer convenient trade-in and recycling programs to help you dispose of unwanted goods. If you can’t find a recycling facility near you which can take old electronics off your hands, reach out to the manufacturer to see if they can take your goods or for advice on recycling. Plus, as a AAA member, you can access exclusive deals on trade-ins for phones and other devices from partnered companies.

PLANT A GARDEN

Planting trees and flowers is a time-honored way to celebrate Earth Day, marking celebrations of the holiday for over 50 years. Despite popular belief, you don’t need a lot of space to contribute to the planet’s oxygen levels. You simply need a few feet of ground space or a porch on which to place some containers.

Start small with an herb garden, which is easy to grow and maintain and promises to provide plenty of fresh flavor for future meals. If space allows, plant flowers with the “pollinators” label, or grow a tree in your backyard.

If you’re looking for better deals or a wider selection of products than you can find at a local garden center or hardware store, take a look at what 1800Flowers has to offer. Aside from cut flowers and other gifts, 1800Flowers carries an extensive variety of plants like trees, shrubs, flowering plants, bulbs, and more. AAA members receive 20% off orders, making 1800Flowers a great option for starting a garden without breaking the bank.

ADOPT ENERGY-EFFICIENT HABITS

You don’t have to invest completely in renewable energy to be kind to the environment. By following best practices for environmental responsibility, you can reduce your home’s carbon footprint and feel confident that you’re doing your part. Small changes that have a big impact include:

• Using LED light bulbs.
• Improving or replacing your home’s insulation.
• Lowering the thermostat on your hot water heater.
• Putting caulk around window frames and weatherstripping around your doors.
• Air-drying your clothing.
• Choosing ENERGY STAR appliances.

If you’re shopping for new appliances, get the best deals on Samsung’s range of energy-efficient refrigerators, washing and drying machines, dishwashers, and cooking appliances. All Samsung’s green appliances are ENERGY STAR®-certified and can be bought with generous discounts, promo codes, and coupons with your AAA membership.

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY WITH HELP FROM AAA

Planning an Earth Day celebration doesn’t have to require a lot of planning or resources. Whether you want to plant a garden or take a hike, even the smallest of acts can make a world of difference. Find out more about the discounts and extras you can get when you sign up with AAA to make Earth Day this year a memorable occasion.