Whole Planet Foundation® launches "Make Change. Not Waste." green lifestyle mobile application

AUSTIN, Texas, May 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Whole Planet Foundation and BlueAvocado have launched a "Make Change. Not Waste." mobile iPhone application that rewards Whole Foods Market® shoppers with coupons for green lifestyle actions, while raising awareness and funds for poverty alleviation.

The app provides shoppers with badges and coupons from a catalog of 45 green lifestyle behaviors including recycling, using a reusable bag and biking to work. After completing 10 green actions, customers can unlock one coupon from leading green brands including: Nature's Path, Alexia Foods, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, Stonyfield, Frontier Co-op and Organic Valley. Shoppers can also donate a percentage of the coupon value back to Whole Planet Foundation.  The app is available to download from the Apple Store.

"We're excited to help shoppers find easy ways to protect the planet, track their green choices and fund poverty alleviation projects around the world," said Philip Sansone, president and executive director of Whole Planet Foundation. "Through this app, shoppers can invest in making a real difference for the planet and their global neighbors."

Whole Planet Foundation funds microlending projects in impoverished communities where Whole Foods Market sources products. The foundation partners with microfinance institutions to fund microloans that empower poor entrepreneurs with an opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty.  To date, the foundation has committed more than $26.5 million and disbursed more than $15.5 million to microfinance partners in the U.S. and 50 developing countries, positively impacting more than a million people worldwide. 

"Everyone wants to do the right thing, but we all need a little help to change our patterns," says Amy George, co-founder and COO of BlueAvocado. "We're honored to partner with Whole Planet Foundation and eco-conscious brands on this green application."

BlueAvocado has been tracking its own eco-impact annually.  In 2011 alone, BlueAvocado helped avoid 46 million disposables, upcycled more than 805,000 plastic bottles and helped to fund more than 150 microloans through contributions to Whole Planet Foundation.

BlueAvocado launched in 2008 at Whole Foods Market, bringing the country's first reusable shopping system, the gro-pak™, to market.  The company currently has an eco-collection of stylish lifestyle products – from shopping and lunch kits to travel and beauty accessories – that reduce everyday waste.

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SOURCE Whole Planet Foundation