It’s the first day of April, so this starts the count down of the 22 days before Earth Day. I figured I’d start it off with some great news and a giveaway… As one of the Hanes Comfort Crew, I sometimes get some very cool information  that I can pass on to my readers… and this is one of those posts..
Hanes has launched Hanes Green, a commitment to create more sustainable products, “green” its manufacturing and distribution processes and share all of their “green” news with consumers via a new website http://hanesgreen.com. I’ve already checked it out, and it’s really a great website! It includes some great “Green Tips”, a place to include your own tips for a chance to win $100 Hanes Gift Card, and so much more! You can also check out the Earth Day Promo page where you can get a Hanes Earth Day T-shirt for free! Oh… and you HAVE to check out the  little video at the bottom of the main page… We were able to see it in February during our Comfort Crew trip, and we were all just rolling.. It is cute, funny, and memorable! If you didn’t think about buying eco-friendly products before… you sure will now!
A few ways that Hanesbrands Inc. is making a commitment to sustainability:
Supply Chain
o   Since 2007, HBI’s energy efficiency programs have reduced the amount of energy used to make products by 11 percent.
o   In 2009, HBI reduced its carbon dioxide emissions from transportation and logistics operations by 41 percent through switching product shipping from truck to rail transportation where possible and through a significant effort to minimize air freight
o   HBI operates three U.S. facilities that are LEED-certified, including one of the largest warehouses in the world: the company’s 1.3-million-square-foot distribution center in Perris, CA.
Products
o    EcoSmart® Hanes® Fleece, made in part from recycled plastic (EcoSmart® fleece was actually made with 25 million recycled plastic bottles this year);
o   EcoSmart® Hanes® Socks, made with 55 percent recycled cotton fiber; and
o   The fabric in 67 percent of Hanes men’s and boy’s undershirts is made using renewable energy.
Future Goals
o   To further reduce its carbon footprint, Hanesbrand is pursuing four additional LEED certifications and is on track to have 20 percent of its total leased and owned space – four million square feet of manufacturing, assembly, distribution, and office and retail space – certified in LEED practices
One more piece of information that I just have to share… Hanesbrands Inc (Hanes parent company) was just recognized as 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year! Really, that makes me feel very good about our clothing choice! We’ve been a Hanes family for years… Well before I was ever a part of the Comfort Crew, so I love hearing that the brands I use are doing great things for the environment!
And now… for the giveaway…
Hanes has given me one $50 Gift Card to giveaway to one of my readers! Of course, we would love for you to check out the EcoSmart® Products from Hanes, but you can use it for anything you’d like!  You can also show your support for Earth Day & Hanes if you get one of the Hanes Beefy-T Earth Day T-shirts!!! My hubby and I actually have these, and I wear mine a lot… Very comfy!!!
All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment with a great tip on what you’re doing to keep our planet Green!!! Each “green” tip you leave is another entry! You can enter as many times as you’d like!
You can also gain additional entries by:
Tweeting this giveaway:
Go Green with @MommyBrain & Hanes! Win a $50 Hanes Gift Card http://bit.ly/cSqf0n #EarthDay
Mention this on your facebook page!
Be sure to leave a comment to your tweet and/or Facebook status for your entry!
To prevent SPAM, comment moderation is on, so your post *may not* be visible right away. I do check them frequently and will approve them asap!)
Entries will be accepted from April 1 – April 14 @ 5pm EST. Winners will be chosen at random. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond to claim their prize. Winners must be a resident of the USA or Canada. Again, you must leave a comment for each option you choose to enter. *Rules subject to change without notice*
Good Luck!
** I am a member of the Hanes Comfort Crew. I did receive a $50 gift card to keep as well as one to give away.
I make my own baby food. I am supporting local farmers by purchasing their produce, but also re-using a freezer container to store the prepared purees in.
I use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
I make sure that lights are turned off when leaving a room and typically only turn lights on at all in the evening when they are really needed.
I use reusable shopping bags when shopping so there is no need for plastic bags.
I've gone paperless. I read my local newspaper and some magazines online.
I recycle everything that I can…aluminum, paper, bottles, plastic, etc
I use several green cleaning products and use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning.
i Switch to lightbulbs to CFLs
i have a have energy star refrigerator it saves alot on energy
i Wash laundry in cold water instead of hoti use cold water tide
turn off lights in the day time and use sun light
i Turn off your computer completely at night to save on energy
i Pay as many bills as possible online.
i Make my own household cleaners
i Lower the temperature on of my hot water heater
Turn off lights when i leave the room.
We recycle, just planted a couple of trees,got rid of the paper napkins,use cloth napkins and use natural cleaning products.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
Whenever we pack lunches, picnics or anything we use all reuseable containers. This year we would also like to start composting.
http://twitter.com/fokxxy/status/12110545397
tweeted
I am getting a cloth diaper stash set up for baby 2.
bekki1820cb at gmail
Reuse shredded paper from packaging for Easter baskets! I did it this year, instead of buying the grass at the store…that is just going to get thrown away…or strewn all over the house. bekki1820cb at gmail
Recycle! Cans, bottles, glass, paper, plastic. bekki1820cb at gmail
Reusable shopping bags….I have won a few and bought a few as well. I get them at Target, Walmart, Wegmans, Aldi, and Save A Lot. I use them for grocery shopping and for other shopping. I also use tote bags for trips to the library, overnight stays at grandma's(for my son), etc.
We turn of every single light in the house, except for the light that is in the room we are in. We know our house layout so that we can walk around in the dark without having to turn on a light to get to the bathroom, kitchen, etc. Saves electricity and money!
I recently won some cloth snack and sandwich bags….we still have not completely gotten rid of our plastic baggies….but it is making the transition much easier. Plus they are so cute and a lot less boring then normal clean baggies!
I garden, this reduces pollution quite a lot. We grow most of our produce.
We mainly drink water, so no pop can or bottle waste.
I buy in bulk, reducing packaging waste on products.
We have chickens, they eat our leftover scraps, are a natural bug control, and provide local fresh eggs.
We buy energy star rated appliances, that saves energy and money too.
We purchased a tankless propane hot water heater, it saves electricity by not heating the water and not having to keep the tank of water hot, it is on demand.
I am part of a group to start a school garden and greenhouse, we hope to be able to start in the fall, so the local children can learn about gardening and where their food comes from. We are doing this project with the senior citizen group to develop relationships with the seniors and the children as well.
I am on the board of our local farmer's market, promoting the market and the fresh local produce.
I can food, reusing glass jars as opposed to buying all canned goods saves energy, transportation fuel, and resources that can be used elsewhere.
We use reusable fabric bags when we shop, and use CFL's in almost all our lamps & light fixtures!
tweeted!
http://twitter.com/kjnsmom/status/12292032706