Brighter Planet Introduces Go Green + Get GreenTM Card Initiatives Response to Economic vs. Environmental Dilemma
Brighter Planet, a Vermont-based environmental start-up, renewable energy company, today introduced new capabilities so consumers can now help fight climate change - and get cash back.


MIDDLEBURY, VT, April 24, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Brighter Planet, a Vermont-based environmental start-up, today introduced new capabilities so consumers can now help fight climate change - and get cash back. Making Americans choose between their money and their planet ignores a wealth of environmentally safe and economically viable alternatives.

Over the past year, tens of thousands of Brighter Planet Visa Check Card and credit card users have helped build renewable energy projects and offset more than 49,000 tons of CO2. That is equivalent to shutting down a coal-fired power plant for 5 days, turning off the lights in every home in the U.S. for 5 hours, or keeping 17 million trash bags out of the landfill.

Effective immediately, current and new Brighter Planet cardholders can also earn up to 20% cash back with their Brighter Planet cards when they enroll in Bank of America's Add It UpTM program. The company also announced their intent to move to biodegradable cards in 2010.

Disney Family's recent online survey revealed that while eight out of ten moms report the environment is important or extremely important in their lives, they are going green to save money. The survey found that four times as many moms turn off the lights when leaving the room to save money than moms who do it to reduce their carbon footprints.

"In this bleak economic climate, saving money while fighting climate change is more important than ever," said Patti Prairie, CEO of Brighter Planet. "Conservation goes hand-in-hand with saving both energy and money. Now our Brighter Planet Visa cards can help that too. Consumers can have their tofu and eat it too."

A recent Harris Poll concluded Americans don't want to choose between economic and environmental goals. Contradicting one theory that people do not care about conservation when the economy is not good, 45% of Americans are doing more now to help the environment than they were a year ago and just over half are making the same amount of effort.

"More people need to heed the call of global warming and do what they can," said climate activist Billy Parish, a member of Brighter Planet's Advisory Board and Project Selection Committee. "Ditch the miles. Brighter Planet's debit card is a breakthrough product especially useful to youth driving positive environmental change. "

Whatever everyday purchases are, from groceries to home improvement products to music and movies, the Brighter Planet Visa credit and check cards now help resolve the false dilemma between going green and getting green.

About Brighter Planet

Brighter Planet (www.brighterplanet.com) helps people reduce and manage their carbon footprints. Its engaging web-based campaigns tap the power of social media to help consumers and businesses learn about emissions, conserve what they can, and offset the rest. Brighter Planet carbon offset products fund only the most reputable renewable energy projects, demonstrating direct community and social value while reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses being pumped into the atmosphere.

Contact: Tara Moira McBride / tara@brigherplanet.com / 802-458-0441, ext. 324.

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Press Release Contact Information:

Tara McBride
Brighter Planet
Media Relations
36 Main Street
Middlebury, VT
USA 05753
Voice: 802-458-0441 x 324
Website: Visit Our Website