CVS/pharmacy To Support World Wildlife Fund with Sales of GreenBagTag

In celebration of Earth Day, CVS/pharmacy begins donating five cents to World Wildlife Fund for every GreenBagTag sold; GreenBagTag holders earn rewards each time they decline a plastic bag

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CVS/pharmacy

Mar 29, 2010, 06:15 ET

WOONSOCKET, R.I., March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy today announced its support of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in conjunction with the GreenBagTag program launched last fall. Starting on April 1st, for one year, CVS/pharmacy will begin donating 5 cents to World Wildlife Fund for every GreenBagTag sold to help protect the future of nature around the world.

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Introduced in October 2009, the GreenBagTag program rewards ExtraCare cardholders each time they decline a plastic bag and scan their tag. On every fourth scan, GreenBagTag cardholders receive $1.00 Extra Buck on the bottom of their receipt which can be spent on nearly anything in the store.

"WWF's core mission is to protect the future of nature -- and reducing the negative impact we have on the environment is a key part of that goal," said Terry Macko, vice president and chief marketing officer, World Wildlife Fund. "It's important that we encourage everyone to adopt simple, eco-friendly practices to help protect our planet."

Available in stores for 99 cents, GreenBagTag is a small, leaf-shaped tag made with 100 percent recycled and renewable materials. Whether they are using reusable bags or simply carrying out their items, customers who choose not to use the plastic bags, benefit each time they shop at CVS/pharmacy by scanning both their GreenBagTag and ExtraCare card at the register. With each reusable bag a consumer uses it has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime*. The CVS/pharmacy GreenBagTag program rewards customers for taking a simple step to reduce their environmental impact.

CVS/pharmacy will donate a minimum of one hundred thousand dollars and a maximum of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars to WWF from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011.

"CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of the people and communities we serve, and that includes helping our customers adopt more eco-friendly practices. Our new GreenBagTag program provides an easy way for shoppers to take a small step in going green, while also receiving Extra Bucks as an incentive for joining us in making an impact in the fight to reduce waste from disposable plastic bags," said Helena Foulkes, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, CVS Caremark. "Over the first six months alone, shoppers have embraced the GreenBagTag program and have scanned their cards about 4 million times to date -- earning $1 million in Extra Bucks. We are excited to be able to further show our support for global conservation efforts by donating a portion of the proceeds from GreenBagTag sales to WWF."

ExtraCare cardholders receive 2% back on nearly every dollar spent in store, every time they shop, regardless of whether or not they participate in any sales or special offers. Additionally, for every two prescriptions filled at CVS/pharmacy, ExtraCare cardholders automatically receive $1 Extra Buck. At the end of each quarter, these automatic Extra Bucks are printed on the bottom of cardholder's receipts during their first visit. In addition, each week certain items are marked with instant Extra Bucks offers in the sales circular and on store shelves. By purchasing these qualifying items, cardholders earn instant Extra Bucks coupons that print on the bottom of the receipt after the transaction is completed. For more information on the ExtraCare Rewards program and the GreenBagTag, please visit http://www.cvs.com/ExtraCare

CVS/pharmacy customers looking for other ways to save are encouraged to visit Savings Central on CVS.com for information about online promotions, discounts and printable coupons. Additionally, CVS/pharmacy recently launched a Twitter feed at http://www.Twitter.com/CVS_Extra, offering followers deals, exclusive tips and savings advice from experts.

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy is the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS). The Company operates more than 7,000 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drugs stores. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://www.info.cvscaremark.com/.

About World Wildlife Fund

WWF is the world's leading conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more.

*Statistic from ReusableBags.com

SOURCE CVS/pharmacy