Patent ID: 8527335

Claim:
A method for reducing pollution comprising the steps of: receiving, from a pollution-credit source, a credit representing an amount of pollution in exchange for a first monetary amount; converting, using a computer processor, the credit into a credit point value, the credit point value comprising a plurality of points, each point having an equal monetary value corresponding to a fraction of the first monetary amount; storing the credit point value in a database embodied on a computer-readable medium; including the credit point value in a pool of credit point values; sending the points to a point distribution facilitator, the points being associated with at least one of a product and a service; receiving a second monetary amount from the point distribution facilitator in exchange for the sent points, the second monetary amount being greater than the first monetary amount; receiving, from the point distribution facilitator and a purchaser of the product or service, a request to redeem at least some of the points; reimbursing, in response to the request to redeem, a portion of the second monetary amount to the point distribution facilitator; sending a redemptive value to the purchaser in exchange for the at least some of the points; and upon redeeming a total number of points equaling the credit point value, retiring the credit, thereby ensuring the amount of pollution represented by the credit is not emitted.