Perks for tree huggers:

• Read online, which saves some trees!
• Get back copies of various magazines for just 99 cents.
• Get special deals on magazines – i.e. save money on your fave reads.
• And of course, right now, get a free magazine!

I tried out the service to make sure it works, and it’s way cool. There’s nothing to download and you DO NOT have to give your name, credit card info, or any other private info. All you need is an email address. I love that; no more magazines hounding you when your subscription runs out.

How to get your free magazine – I’ll walk you through this easy process.

1. Head to the main read green initiative page.

2. Click on the box that looks like this:

3. Browse the Read Green newsstand collection and click on your favorite magazine title.

4. Enter your valid email address, click on the GO button, and you’re done. The area you’re in now will look like this:

5. After entering your email and clicking go, you’re done. It’s simple. You then will end up on what is called “Your Library” page where you can either download your magazine and read it anywhere, or read it using the online browser.

NOTES:

• I was not asked to download any sort of special reader, or software. Your magazine just pops up on a new browser page. It’s a very cool service.
• So far I can’t find a glitch. This free magazine does in fact seem free, plus you get access to other low-cost magazine choices to download.

There are plenty of free magazines that green heads might be interested in. Such as….

GreenSource

Vegetarian Times

Backpacker

Natural Solutions

And many more…

Try Zinio out for yourself and score your free magazine.

If you do try Zinio out, let me know in the comments what you think.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Currently I don’t have any subscriptions, so I check magazines out from the library, or I cruise them in the store and may sometimes buy a copy. There are also other ways to read publications: trade with friends and family or ask your doctor’s office if you can have the older magazines. I know, it does seem that they keep those magazines forever, doesn’t it? However, I’ve known a few people who do get magazines from doctors’ offices — with permission, of course.

A few weeks ago, writing friend Laverne at Words into Print sent me a link to a green magazine, Plenty, she thought I might be interested in submitting to. I checked them out, and they seem really interesting.

One of the greatest things I noticed about Plenty is that they allow you to subscribe digitally. You can choose the digital-only option for a couple of dollars less than the print and digital option. How very green of them. They went a step beyond printing on recycled paper.

Sure, reading online (or off-line at your computer) uses energy, but when you consider the paper, ink, transportation and recycling (hopefully) associated with paper magazines, I think digital is the greener choice.

If your favorite magazine doesn’t offer digital-only subs, suggest it to them. They listen more than you might think.

After looking around a bit, I noticed zinio, a global online publishing company that focuses on providing digital magazines and books. Zinio has about 3.5 million readers and a large selection of magazines. You can also buy single issues if you choose. I previewed a few magazines and their software seems very reader-friendly. I may decide to try them out soon. Being an impatient person, I love that you can subscribe instantly, from anywhere, and read you chosen magazine within minutes.

Are you trying to green your magazine reading habits? What steps have you taken?

Forest photo from flickr.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family