Consumers who switch from printed statements to e-statements,drive a hybrid automobile or insulate their homes are helping toreduce their carbon footprint on the planet. And a growing numberof credit unions are doing their part as well by taking their ownconservation steps, offering “green” loans and staging otheractivities that have a special significance on Earth Day.

Gaylord Nelson, a Democratic U.S. Senator and governor ofWisconsin, launched the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 to buildgreater public awareness about water and air pollution. Nelson diedin 2005, but Earth Day has since become a worldwide phenomenon andis considered the event that launched the modern day environmentalmovement.

For credit unions, going green means helping members take thenecessary steps to go easier on the environment. At the $100million Energy Federal Credit Union, located in Rockville, Md.,green loans are an ongoing initiative.

Founded in 1948 by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, EnergyFederal Credit Union is offering its “Time for spring greening”green loan that enables members to purchase Energy Star appliancesand products at rates as low as 7.25% APR. On April 25, the creditunion is hosting its Annual Spring Shred Day to help members reducetheir paper clutter by securely shredding important documents, withno limit on the number of bags or boxes of documents to shred.

On April 22, Earth Day itself, the $227 million Heartland Credit Union in Madison, Wis., also is offering toshred members' financial and personal documents free of charge. The“Earth Day Shred Event” will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. atHeartland's DeForest and Dodgeville branches.

Green loans are also a focus for the $105 million Santa Cruz Community Credit Union in Santa Cruz, Calif. Thecredit union's “Get Green” program provides loans for solar thermalinsulation, high-efficiency air conditioning systems, rainwatercollection systems, “clean” cars, energy-efficient roofs and more.Low rates and flexible terms apply to all the loans, with 100%financing available for amounts of up to $100,000 when used tofinance solar power purchases.

Portland, Ore. is one of America's most bicycle-friendly cities,and the $76 million USAgencies Credit Union is helping members join the two-wheelcrowd by offering bicycle loans. Loans for new bikes priced between$500 and $3,500 can run up to 36 months at an APR of 6.5% to 13%,depending on creditworthiness. Bike accessories also qualify forthe loan, but may not comprise more than 25% of the purchase pricecovered by the loan.

Green loans shine brightly for the $400 million HFS FederalCredit Union in Hilo, Hawaii, especially when it comes to tappingthe island's abundant sunshine. The credit union offers a solarwater heating loan that allows members to borrow $5,000 to $10,000at 0% APR with no closing costs, no down payment costs and noprepayment penalties. The loans also may qualify for state andfederal tax credits.

Read more: Educational Employees Credit Union offersenergy efficiency loans …

Green loans also are a feature at the $2.2 billion EducationalEmployees Credit Union in Fresno, Calif. The EECU Energy EfficiencyLoans can be used to purchase Energy Star Appliances, replacefurnaces and air conditioners with more efficient models, orinstall a solar water heating system for pools and spas. Memberscan borrow up to $25,000 for up to 180 months at rates as low as6.50%.

SunmarkFederal Credit Union in Latham, N.Y., is challenging membersvisiting its website with a Going Green quiz fromHowstuffworks.com. The $440 million credit union also is urgingmembers to save paper by signing up for eStatements as part of itsonline banking program.

Redstone Federal Credit Union has taken to its Facebook page inurging its members to celebrate Earth Day by signing up for onlinebanking. The $3 billion Huntsville, Ala., credit union offers allthe regular online services, including a personal financialmanagement tool, e-statements and alerts.

Even credit unions north of the border are doing their part forEarth Day. The C$3.8 billion Assiniboine Credit Union in Winnipeg,Manitoba, taking a more creative approach, this year sponsored aphoto contest.

Entries were required to illustrate creative uses of the“reduce, reuse, recycle” message, with no limit to the amount ofentries from any single photographer. All entrants were thenentered into a drawing, with one winner scoring a pair of backstagepasses to the Winnipeg Folk Fest this coming July, featuring ArloGuthrie's 50th anniversary Alice's Restaurant tour.

The drawing, of course, takes place on Earth Day.