Frequently Asked Questions

What is Local Planet and Why Should I care?
Does it cost anything to sign up and become a member of Local Planet?
What’s In It for Me?
What Kind of Stuff Does Local Planet Write About?
Can I Recommend a Business to Local Planet?
How does Local Planet work?
Will my personal information be safe?
What’s up with these businesses giving such huge discounts?
What exactly makes a business a “Good Business”?

What is Local Planet and Why Should I care?
Local Planet is an online community that connects environmentally sustainable and socially conscious businesses with like-minded consumers.

Here you can you learn about these issues and we’ll also show you how you can make small changes in your daily life – like supporting the “Good Businesses” featured on our site – and make a real difference. Imagine, just by doing what you have always done, people just like yourself can make the world a better place. Pretty cool, huh?

Does it cost anything to sign up and become a member of Local Planet?
No, being a member of Local Planet is free of charge.

What’s In It for Me?
Well, besides really cool, local information, well-written editorial content around a variety of issues and topics, Local Planet also offers some pretty sweet discount offers to local businesses that are either socially conscious or environmentally or both.

What Kind of Stuff Does Local Planet Write About?
We look for examples of local businesses, organizations or individuals doing the right thing, either by protecting the environment, helping their community, or otherwise working to make the world a better place for everyone. We really like stories that feature a global or national challenge – examples include global warming, food safety, hunger, pollution, etc. – but then examine these under a local lens and showcase how ordinary people just like you and me right here in our town are making a difference and working to improve things. Ordinary people, doing everyday things a little smarter, maybe a tiny bit better, and in ways that use fewer resources or help improve the community – now that’s extraordinary.

Can I Recommend a Business to Local Planet?
Please do.  In fact, we look to our members for recommendations on both new businesses as well as newsworthy stories.

How does Local Planet work?
Once you register with Local Planet (free of charge – or any commitment – by the way) and sign up for our emails you will receive both information and compelling offers from businesses that we think are doing the right thing.

Local Planet members can take advantage offers by utilizing special product code and some by purchasing them online using most major credit cards, debit or electronic check. Once an offer has been purchased, it is transferrable and can also be given as a gift. Upon purchase, the member receives access to a coupon (including a unique coupon code) that can be printed for presentation when it is redeemed or, alternatively, presented using a smart phone or similar. We are also developing an iPhone and mobile application due to be available by late summer 2010.

Once purchased, offers remain valid and can be redeemed anytime over the next six months during normal business hours of the establishment. For hotel, entertainment or cultural events, offers can obviously only be redeemed during regular show times and there may be certain black-out periods or other restrictions based on availability. Any and all restrictions will be clearly noted in the offer.

At time of redemption, the business will verify the unique coupon code to ensure it has not been previously redeemed and will grant the discount specified in the offer. Other than that your experience will be exactly the same as that of other patrons, except that you will enjoy savings of 40-60% while supporting businesses that are making a difference in your city, your community and protecting our planet. Save change while making change, that’s our motto!

Will my personal information be safe?
All personal information is maintained in a safe and responsible manner and will not be shared without your permission. While we will send you regular valuable offers, we don’t believe in spam.

What’s up with these businesses giving such huge discounts?
Our business partners participate in our program for several reasons, including:

1. A desire to connect with consumers that share their commitment to social consciousness and environmental sustainability, and, together, help foster greater awareness and, ultimately, affect positive change.  Often this is coupled with the launch of a new location or a new establishment.
2. A desire to communicate their efforts on behalf of the environment and society by sharing their Good Stories and thus fostering greater awareness, ultimately, affecting positive change. There are many businesses that are quietly doing the right thing, protecting our environment, conserving our resources and helping our community in ways big and small. Local Planet provides them with a platform to communicate their commitment to like-minded people, to inform and educate and continue to fuel the movement for a better planet. Let’s vote with our consumer dollar and recognize and reward those businesses that share our values. They’re already meeting us halfway (by providing a discount), let’s do our part and support them. Together, we CAN make a difference!

What exactly makes a business a “Good Business”?
Good question. We look at a number of issues and aspects, both around social consciousness and environmental sustainability.  We then outline these in the “Good Story” that you’ll find attached to each business profile.

And, hey, we’re human too.  So we understand that being “good” isn't always easy and usually doesn't come cheap. We also know and understand that conditions vary by nature of one’s business, community, location and so forth. So, while not everyone can be perfect, everyone can try to be better and that’s what we look for and summarize in the good stories. Read them, ask around, discuss and form an opinion.  Ask questions.  Share advice.  Apply common sense.  In the end, we’re all in this together, and it’s on us to make a difference and bring about change.  For if we don’t inquire, probe, challenge, and, ultimately, support the good guys – then how can we expect change to occur?  But, you already knew that or you wouldn’t be here, right?