Cyprus Credit Union, West Jordan, Utah, staffmembers planted a tree in honor of Earth Day. The tree was plantedin proximity to the credit union's recycling containers, remindingemployees and visitors of the credit union's responsibility to theenvironment. The credit union has made recycling and conservingbins for excess paper waste. All departments now have individualrecycling bins for excessive paper. All nonsecure paper waste isnow being recycled through Green Fiber, a company that collects andrecycles paper waste and produces environmentally friendlyinsulation for homes and businesses.

Wauna Federal Credit Union, Clatskanie, Ore.,announced its 2009 “Going Green” plan at the credit union's 42ndannual meeting. Going Green is an incremental process with eachyear bringing a new commitment to the community and environment.During this year's Earth Day celebration, the credit union gavemembers a reusable shopping tote bag. Each branch will have aunique and numbered bag design with two Darren Orange Prints forcollecting. The artist plans to visit Wauna FCU and personalizetotes for lucky members.

State Employees' Credit Union, Raleigh, N.C.,participated in the 2nd annual planet earth celebration. Thecelebration also offered the credit union the opportunity toshowcase its numerous green product initiatives. The goal of theevent was to celebrate ongoing efforts to raise awareness in NorthCarolina's communities by taking better care of the local andglobal environment. Some of SECUs product and service offeringshighlighted during the event included the credit union's greenmortgage, green vehicle loan and SECUs online options such ase-statements and bill pay.

Insight Financial Credit Union, Orlando, Fla.,introduced its “Grow Green” savings account designed to benefitmembers and the environment. Members earn the current rate of 1.5%APR on their Grow Green account just for using e-statements. Thismeans more money in their pockets and less wasted paper for theenvironment.

SEFCU, Albany, N.Y., celebrated its commitment to goinggreen and Earth Day by distributing free seedlings to membersvisiting any credit union branch. Each branch will include anassortment of seedlings including: Scotch Pine, Austrian Pine andWhite Spruce. Members receiving the free seedling will also get aninformation sheet with details about their tree and plantinginstructions. In addition, members visiting the credit unions Troybranch can pick up seedlings from SouthPaw, Pappy SouthPaw andZoggy all mascots of the Tri-City ValleyCats, a local baseballteam.

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, Groton, Conn., sponsoredMitchell College's “Environment Stories,” an Earth Day celebrationthat took place at the colleges' New London campus. The eventfeatured art exhibits, guided tours of the Mitchell Beachrestoration project, a community expo, book sales and signings anda panel discussion featuring speakers from the U.S. Coast Guard'sResearch and Development Center.

Sunmark Federal Credit Union, Latham, N.Y., announced thatit will begin working with members to be more energy efficient whenit comes to financial transactions. The initiative officiallylaunched on Earth Day was created to encourage members to learnmore about the benefits of online banking and e-statements. Thecredit union will inform members of the cost saving benefits to thecredit union and the ease of use that online banking can offer themembership. In addition to promoting online banking, the creditunion will also be offering members free reusable grocery tote bagsfor enrolling in e-statements and online banking.

NuUnion Credit Union, Lansing, Mich., gave instruction tomore than 2,500 school children for Earth Day. They spent the daylearning about conservation, alternative energy and the impact ourchoices can have on others. Discussions on the importance of makingsmart money decisions as consumers and how those decisions relateto the goal of Earth Day highlighted the day's event. NuUnion staffmembers were busy on Earth Day in downtown Lansing's ConstitutionalHall, sharing recyclable water bottles and tote bags as they talkedabout ways to reduce and recycle by making informed financialdecisions.

Addison Avenue Federal Credit Union, SantaRosa, Calif., funded the entire installation of an eco-friendlyTomorrow Garden for students and faculty at Brook Hill ElementarySchool. Credit union employees partnered with 125 communityvolunteers to revamp the Brook Hill campus and educate studentsabout environmental responsibility. Santa Rosa Mayor Susan Gorinkicked off the event by thanking volunteers for their efforts. TheTomorrow Garden utilized recycled materials and plantings to ensureoptimal water conservation and low-maintenance. The garden isapproximately 1,800 square feet with five trees and nine benches.The benches were designed to be used to teach classes about waterconservation.