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88 companies involved in 'green Bucky Book'

Jane Burns  —  8/29/2008 12:44 pm

Going green is about to get a little bit easier, thanks to two new options that are about to be available to Madison-area consumers.

MeGoGreen LLC launched its Web site in May that features green, sustainable and local businesses in Madison and Dane County. On Monday, Sept. 1, the Green Savings Guide will become available as a fundraiser for school groups or non-profits. It will also be available on the company's Web site.

"Nothing against other fundraisers, but this is not popcorn, candy or wrapping paper," said Mark Harrod, director of fundraising and business development for MeGoGreen.com "They're not necessarily healthy or environmentally friendly."

Harrod calls the MeGoGreen book a "green Bucky Book," referring to the popular fund-raising coupon book that has been sold for nearly 20 years and offers myriad coupons for goods and services.

That's what the Green Savings Guide will do, too. It will sell for $20, with $10 going to the group that is selling them. One big group already on board is the Middleton Yahara Soccer Club, Harrod said.

Coupons include discounts at the Madison Children's Museum or the UW Arboretum. Valuable discounts include $10 off a $50 grocery purchase at Metcalfe's Sentry, or $50 off products at Trek stores or REI. Other businesses include a Community Car discount or a 1 percent discount of a car loan at Dane County Credit Union for the purchase of a hybrid vehicle.

Eighty-eight companies in the guide provide 122 coupons. Harrod said the company estimated the total value of all of them to be between $5,000 and $6,000.

"You use two or three coupons and it pays for itself," Harrod said.

Harrod said the point isn't just to provide a deal, but to educate consumers about buying sustainable, local or green products and services. That includes teaching kids, which is why the book includes pictures drawn by local grade-schoolers and an illustration put into motion by flipping the pages.

Harrod added that not everything in the book would be "green" by everybody's standards, but that the products and services fit into the company's mission to connect conscience-minded consumers with businesses with similar priorities.

"People will say, 'If you're green, why do you print the book?'" Harrod said. "People need to see what they're buying. We're never going to get away from print but we can control how we print."

Besides fundraisers, the coupon book will be available on the MeGoGreen.com site and may be available at retail outlets, Harrod said. The books the company sells on its site will split the profits with Madison's R.E.A.P. Food Group and Wisconsin Partners for Sustainability.

MeGoGreen started up in January 2007 with a guide and a Web site for the Chicago area. It was founded by Joe Adamek and Dan White of Kenosha. Trying it in the Madison area seemed a next logical step, Harrod said.

"It's evolving," he said. "We might try a Wisconsin guide in the future, or southeast Wisconsin."

Also on Sept. 1, the MeGoGreen.com site will expand to become more searchable. It will also include a local green events calendar, business links, maps and articles about green and sustainable living.

Jane Burns  —  8/29/2008 12:44 pm