We Say It’s Our Birthday!
The Early Years
“Born” on October 29, 1991, Earth911 was the brainchild of its late founder, Chris J. Warner. Since its inception, Earth911 dedicated itself to delivering actionable local information on recycling and product stewardship that empowers consumers to act locally, live responsibly and contribute to sustainability.
Earth911 began in Arizona as a phone hotline, providing residents with easy access to local recycling and reuse information through an automated phone system. Over the next several years, the hotline expanded to several Southwestern states. The success of this regional network eventually paved the way for national expansion of a toll-free hotline, 1-800-CLEANUP (253-2687) in 1996.
As technology changed, Earth911 changed with it. It became part of the World Wide Web in 1997 with its initial site, 1800cleanup.org.
All Grown Up
But just like any teenager, Earth911 experienced a myriad of adjustments as it grew and matured over the years. It changed web addresses and names, finally growing into Earth911.com.
Party On!
So, what does an “almost eighteen” site do to celebrate? A makeover! With our new site and navigation design, up-and-coming weekly email and the best recycling locator search on the web, we are ready for our time in the sun. Never before in its history has the future, or the positive impact on the environment, looked so bright for Earth911! Not only is Earth911 working to reduce, reuse and recycle, but it is also starting to compost, conserve, educate and empower!
So for those of you looking for a good reason to party today, join with Earth911 in celebrating its seventeenth birthday! Eat an organic cake, drink punch (from reusable cups), leave us a birthday comment and raise your glasses to the environment…and Earth911.com! Thanks for spending this special day with us, we hope to celebrate many more birthdays with you.
As of June 17th 2011 we have upgraded our comment system to use Facebook comments. The below comments are closed and are listed for historical purposes.
Raquel Fagan
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Happy Birthday Earth911! You don’t look a day over 16 and half…
hfonda
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Happy Birthday Earth911!!!!! Here’s to another 18years, and here’s to all you’ve accomplished! You have a big, big heart.
Cheers,
h
bopeep
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Happy Birthday to Earth 911. You look great for your age.
Jennifer Berry
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Happy Birthday Earth911! Next year, you’ll be eligible to VOTE! Who knows what crazy escapades await!
Lori
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Happy Birthday Earth 911. You are aging well!
larry
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 9:20 am
A list of other things that occurred on October 29th. http://snurl.com/4tc4m [en_wikipedia_org]. I think the most interesting item on the list is, in 1969 on October 29th the first-ever computer-to-computer link is established on ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet.
Here’s to another 17 years!
dasparky
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Congrats and happy happy!
Kelly Roy
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Happy Birthday- with a new site and -renewed interest in the main stream for your service the future looks very bright! Congrats!
ramen
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Hooray! Happy birthday! Does this make you Earth 912?
Earth 911
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Earth 911 shares a birthday with Richard Dreyfuss and Winona Ryder. Don’t mess with that trio!
francine hardaway
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Chris Warner’s family were friends of mine, and I clearly remember when he started 1-800-CLEANUP. In fact, I advised him a little bit on it. I thought it was an incredible idea, although it didn’t seem as though people would pay attention to it. No one was more surprised than I was at how much they actually DID pay attention, and how successful it got for its time — the time between the environmental movement of the ’70s and the one we are participating in now.
Seag
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Happy birthday, Earth 911! Only 1 more year of reckless childhood free of responsibility :) I have enjoyed seeing your growth and the fabulous team you have built…especially the talented and beautiful Assistant Editor. Keep up the good work!
francine hardaway
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Oh….and one more thing. I just ordered 5 SIGG bottles for my step-grandchildren for Christmas. I am going to teach them the lessons of Earth911.
Ginger Kenney
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Happy birthday Earth911 and thank you for all you have done and continue to do.Please keep up the great work, the earth needs you.
minddog
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Happy Birthday Earth911, you can now get your license to drive in New Jersey!
eucarya
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Since 1991 the EPA estimates that around 4217 million tons of municipal waste have been generated in the USA, of that 1157 million tons have been recycled. In 1991 American’s recycled about 18% of their waste, but in 2006 we recycled almost 33% !
We’ve consistently generated about 4.5 pounds of waste per person per day since 1991. In 1991 we only recycled about .75 pounds of that waste, but in 2008 we’re on course to recycle about 1.5 pounds of that waste. We’ve doubled the amount we recycle since Earth911 was born!
If we continue on this trend, in 17 years we’ll be recycling almost 50% of our waste. Let’s hope that we reach that number sooner by recycling more items more often and hopefully we can slow our waste output through adherence to the tenants of reducing and reusing!
The Other Fagan
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I remember way back when…. Wow, I’m a little misty. Happy Birthday!!! I hope you get all 17 spankings you have got coming to you.
Jason Ayers
posted on October 29th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Happy Birthday to a great company! The vision of Chris Warner lives on as the message of being mindful about waste is reaching more people than ever. Keep up the great work and well deserved success.
michaelmotorcycle
posted on November 19th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
*tear*