Earth Day 2018, observed on Sunday, April 22, presented a wide array of freebies, discounts, and special offers from various brands and retailers. These promotions were designed to encourage environmental awareness and sustainable practices while providing value to consumers. The available offers spanned multiple categories, including food and beverage, retail, health and fitness, and outdoor recreation. Many brands structured their promotions around eco-friendly themes, such as recycling programs, plant-based products, and reusable merchandise.
The majority of these offers were time-sensitive, typically valid only on Earth Day itself or during the surrounding weekend of April 21-22. Some extended through the following week or throughout the month of April. Redemption requirements varied significantly; some offers were available to all customers with no purchase necessary, while others required specific actions such as making a purchase, bringing in used items for recycling, or signing up for loyalty programs.
Food and Beverage Promotions
Several food and beverage brands participated in Earth Day 2018 with distinct offers focused on plant-based options and sustainable merchandise.
BurgerFi
BurgerFi, a national fast-casual chain, offered two specific promotions on April 22: - Discounted Plant-Based Burgers: Participating locations offered $5 VegeFi Burgers and $5 Beyond Burgers. The VegeFi Burger featured Crispy Quinoa Pure-Cut Veggie Burger, White Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, and BurgerFi Sauce on a Multigrain Bun or Green Style. The Beyond Burger was described as a plant-based burger with 20 grams of protein. - Plantable Coaster: Guests who purchased any burger on April 22 received a free "plantable burger" coaster that could be planted at home to grow lettuce and tomato. - Redemption: To redeem the coaster offer, customers had to mention a specific post on BurgerFi's Facebook page. The offer was limited to one per customer, while supplies lasted, with no substitutions or combining with other offers. It was not valid on delivery or online orders.
Caribou Coffee
Caribou Coffee promoted a reusable tumbler program: - Tumbler Purchase: Customers could purchase an Earth Day tumbler for $39.99. - Beverage Benefits: Purchase of the tumbler provided free coffee or hot tea throughout April and $3 specialty drinks. - Availability: The tumbler was available through April 30.
Evos
Evos, an environment-friendly chain, offered a pre-Earth Day treat: - Free Milkshakes: On Friday, April 20, Evos gave away free organic milkshakes. These were packaged with sustainable materials. - Sustainability Commitment: The chain noted that its locations sourced 50% of their energy from sustainable wind power.
Wegmans
Wegmans, a supermarket chain, hosted a reusable bag exchange: - Bag Exchange: On Saturday, April 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., customers could bring in plastic bags to exchange for a coupon for a free reusable bag. - Event: This was part of Wegmans' "Food You Feel Good About" event.
Retail and Electronics Offers
Major retailers and specialty stores offered discounts on eco-friendly products and recycling incentives.
Staples
Staples provided an incentive for electronics recycling: - Recycling Reward: Rewards members who brought in unwanted electronics for recycling received $10 off a purchase of $35 or more. - Validity: This deal was valid from Sunday, April 22, to Saturday, April 28.
Best Buy
Best Buy offered significant discounts on energy-efficient appliances: - Appliance Sale: Up to 35% off appliances, including energy-efficient models, through April 25. - Bundle Bonus: When purchasing two appliances totaling $1,499 or more, customers received a free Amazon Echo.
Amazon
Amazon promoted a sale on its Warehouse site: - Discount: 20% off items on Amazon's Warehouse site (which sells returned, refurbished, or used items) through April 22.
Guitar Center
Guitar Center partnered with D'Addario for a string recycling program: - String Exchange: On April 21 and 22, customers who brought in a guitar with old strings received a complimentary set of replacement strings. - Recycling: The old strings were recycled.
Buffalo Exchange
Buffalo Exchange, a thrift store chain, hosted a charity sale: - $1 Sale: On April 21, select items were priced at $1. - Charity: All proceeds benefited the 5 Gyres Institute, which combats ocean pollution.
CafePress
CafePress offered discounts on eco-themed merchandise: - Tote Discount: 40% off reusable totes featuring pro-environment and green-friendly designs. - Prices: Tote prices ranged from $11.95 to $14.95 before the discount.
Beauty and Health Brands
Beauty brands focused on gift-with-purchase promotions and sustainable packaging.
Kiehl's
Kiehl's offered tiered gifts with purchase for Earth Day: - $65+ Purchase: Four deluxe samples. - $100+ Purchase: A free water bottle in addition to the samples. - Validity: The offer lasted through Sunday, April 22.
Origins
Origins provided a gift set with purchase: - Gift Details: A free Earth Month tote and a super deluxe sample of Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Serum with purchases of $45 or more. - Validity: This offer was available throughout Earth Month (April).
Outdoor and Fitness Promotions
Offers in this category included free access to national parks and fitness club events.
National Parks
The National Park System celebrated both Earth Day and National Park Week: - Free Admission: Free admission to National Parks on Saturday, April 21 (the start of National Park Week). - Anniversary: Earth Day marked the 50th anniversary of the National Trails and Wild & Scenic Rivers Systems.
Youfit Health Clubs
Youfit hosted an Earth Day Open House: - Event: Held on Monday, April 23. - Offerings: Free workouts, group classes, and giveaways of water bottles, shirts, and bags. Some locations also hosted a Glow Stick Cycle Party.
Citi Bike
Citi Bike hosted a "Car Free NYC" event: - Event: Held on Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., opening blocks from Times Square to Union Square for pedestrians and cyclists. - Membership Discount: New Citi Bike members could get $25 off their annual membership.
Retail Events and In-Store Offers
IKEA
IKEA held a "Make Room for Nature" event: - Dates and Times: Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Activities: Workshops, giveaways, discounts, and coupons were available during the event weekend. - Coupon: A coupon was available for $25 off a purchase of $150 or more.
Earth Fare
Earth Fare offered a gardening item: - Free Seeds: A free pack of tomato seeds from Botanical Interest Seeds on April 22, while supplies last, available at the register.
Tanger Outlets
While mentioned in the WRAL source as offering Earth Day deals, specific details regarding Tanger Outlets' promotions were not provided in the available source material.
Educational and Digital Freebies
Teachers Pay Teachers
A resource for educators was available: - Earth Day Freebie: A downloadable package for students to document environmental acts of kindness, write an acrostic poem, and receive brag tags. This was intended for classroom use to encourage "Go Green" behavior.
A digital scrapbooking freebie was noted: - Pocket Card: An adorable pocket card featuring peace, love, and earth symbols, intended for Project Life and digital scrapbooking enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Earth Day 2018 offers were characterized by a mix of immediate discounts, gift-with-purchase promotions, and events encouraging sustainable behaviors such as recycling and reusable bag usage. The promotions were widely distributed across food service, retail, beauty, and fitness sectors. Key actions required to obtain these offers included making purchases, bringing in used items (electronics or plastic bags), or attending specific in-store events. Most offers were strictly limited to the Earth Day weekend or the month of April, with specific redemption instructions such as mentioning social media posts or presenting coupons.