Each morning is the beginning of a new day and another chance to make the world a better place. Think your actions don't make a difference? Think again! Taking small, mindful actions for positive improvement can have a great impact on your community and inspire others to do the same. There are so many opportunities to do good for the planet, and many of them are right under your nose. Here are three ways you can do your part to make the world a better place...all before 10 a.m. * Concentrate on your morning routine. So much of what we do in the morning can be condensed to consume less and do much more. Try to reduce your water usage by shortening your shower time and don't let it run while you brush your teeth. Make your own coffee and lunch to cut down on food packaging waste. Carpool to put fewer vehicles on the road and get to know your co-workers. * Engage in "mindful" acts of kindness. Make it a point to hold the door open for a stranger, compliment your co-worker's outfit or new hairstyle, or buy a snack for the person behind you in line. To be kind is an act of solidarity, and doing good for others will inspire members of your community to do the same. Kindness is the currency of change: spend wisely and often. * Learn about new ways to recycle. Did you know that Malt-O-Meal cereal bags can be recycled through a free program in partnership with TerraCycle, a New Jersey-based recycling company? To begin with, Malt-O-Meal bagged cereal creates 75 percent less packaging waste than boxed cereal with a bag inside. Through the MOM Brands Cereal Bag Recycling Program, you can ensure that none of it ends up in the landfill and raise money for charity at the same time!

Basil Bandwagon is a collector of cereal bags in the MOM Brands Cereal Bag Brigade, a free, national recycling program created by MOM Brands and TerraCycle. By collecting MOM Brands cereal packaging, they help divert cereal bags from landfills. Clinton residents can help keep additional cereal bags and liners out of the garbage by dropping off empty bags Monday- Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fairview High School students and teachers have been recognized for keeping more than 2,000 cereal bags out of landfills. The school recently was named the top state collector in the MOM Brands Cereal Bag Brigade. A partnership between MOM Brands and TerraCycle, the recycling program gives schools points for each unit collected and sent to TerraCycle.

Students and faculty at Concord-Carlisle High School are among the top state collectors of cereal bags in the MOM Brands Cereal Bag Brigade, a free, national recycling program created by a partnership between MOM Brands and TerraCycle.

Employees at Greenwich-based Blue Sky Studios are the top collectors of cereal bags in the MOM Brands Cereal Bag Brigade, a free, national recycling program created by a partnership between MOM Brands and TerraCycle. By collecting waste from its MOM Brands cereal packaging, the company has helped to divert 1,739 units of cereal bag waste from landfills. Blue Sky Studios chose to donate to the Connecticut Audubon Society. After they sign up to join a recycling brigade, businesses earn points for every unit of waste they collect and send to TerraCycle. Points can be redeemed for charitable gifts or a cash donation to the nonprofit or school of the collector's choice. TerraCycle recycles the traditionally non-recyclable cereal bag waste into new products and materials. For information on joining a TerraCycle Brigade and on purchasing TerraCycle products, visitwww.terracycle.com.