Some 250,000 copies of the nation's first carbon neutral Green Pagesare to be distributed free of charge to homes and businesses across the country from October.
Billed as the "definitive guide to living and working in an environmentally sustainable manner in the 21st century", the directory has been part-sponsored by the Department of the Environment.
Among the typical products and services on offer in the new 300-page directory, which is being published by Co-op Ireland Network, a media and marketing co-operative, will be solar panels, wood pellet stoves, composting services, environmentally sound household detergents and business-to-business services.
There will be 26 categories, including transport, gardening, agriculture and forestry, food and drink, waste and recycling, fashion and health and fitness.
The publication of the Green Pageshas been sponsored by the Department of the Environment, Permanent TSB and Greenstar waste management.
It is hoped that the strength of the "green euro" here will lead the directory to be self-financing through advertising within the next two to three years. It has required an initial investment of €330,000 to date.
According to Co-op Ireland, the publication represents the largest free and independent green marketing initiative of its kind ever undertaken in Ireland.
The publisher of the directory, Don Coughlan, told The Irish Timesthat the new Green Pagesshould be able to "coexist" with the better-known Golden Pages. This was because the new directory would cater to a specific sector, and unlike other publications would provide advisory editorial content to accompany each section.
While 250,000 copies will be distributed nationwide in October, a further 25,000 will also be available for about €5 in retail outlets and farmers' markets. Consumers will also be able to order a copy for free online at greenpages.ie, with postage and packaging expected to cost about €3.50
Mr Coughlan said the directory would be carbon neutral as all energy used in its production would be analysed by an independent third party.The total level of carbon emissions would then be calculated and an investment made in renewable energy projects.
Mr Coughlan said the support among advertisers for the project meant the originally planned 260-page directory had been increased to 300 pages.
The Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, welcomed the publication of the new directory.