Do you want to keep being a green environmentalist while doing all your shopping? Then get the Brighter Planet credit card or check card. With it you won’t feel so bad about consuming so much. Remember the best thing is not to buy junk you don’t need! If you have a choice buy green and support products made through sustainable development.

The card is offered by Bank of America through Brighter Planet. The Brighter Planet Visa debit card is part of Bank of America’s $20 billion commitment announced in March 2007 to support the growth of environmentally sustainable business activity to address global climate change. This ten-year initiative encourages development of environmentally sustainable business practices through lending, investing, philanthropy and the creation of new products and services.

Every time you use your Brighter Planet Visa debit card, a percentage of your spending will help fund renewable energy projects across the country.

You will get 20% cash back at 270 online retailers. And you’ll get checks, debit cards, and statements with the Brighter Planet logo printed on them.

See Brighter Planet for more.

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Wachovia new banks to be eco friendly in design. They are to be certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) a certification by the US Federal government.

At least 300 will be built by 2010. The first should be opening up in southern California this fall. Energy consumption will be 20% less, and consume 25% less water. Building materials will be low toxin for better indoor quality. Wachovia also benefits by having their
Energy costs go down by 20% too..

Wachovia will also have an employee recycling program for paper, plastics, and aluminum. Branches will also have preferred parking for low-emitting vehicles, bike racks, and commuting info. Wachovia will also purchase Renewable Energy Certificates to offset use of its green branches and boost investment in renewable energy.

There also ways that Wachovia helps consumers go green. They can

1 Sign up for electronic bank statements.
2 Sign up for direct deposit
3 Have your bills sent to you electronically
4 Use online banking to check balances
5 Use automated debits to pay bills that are the same each month

Via Wachovia

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ShoreBank Pacific is the first environmental bank. That’s because with the money they lend they support individual and community efforts to bring together conservation and economic development.

Specifically, ShoreBank Pacific helps borrowers be sustainable in economic, social, and environmental practices by helping them–

• Use energy efficiently
• Reduce waste and pollution
• Conserve natural resources
• Plan for the long term

All loans are scored and reviewed annually to make sure that the money being used adheres against scientific principles. Does Bank of America do that?! No other bank has a sustainability scoring system.

From Washington State but if you do all your banking online, what difference does it really make. You can always have an account at a bank that is geographically closer and one at Shorebank.

ShoreBank Pacific has an interest bearing checking account called EcoCash thatl allows customers to access their money whenever, wherever they are. EcoCash also encourages you to not use paper checks by giving you a Visa check card and free online banking with optional bill pay. You still get 5 free paper checks a month.

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