'Coinstar's Greenest City' Contest Finalists Announced

$10,000 grant winner to be determined by local residents’ reuse of change

BELLEVUE, Wash. – September 16, 2008 – In conjunction with Coinstar's Change for our Earth initiative, cities are now competing head-to-head for the title of 'Coinstar's Greenest City' and a $10,000 grant. It is up to you to help determine the winning city that will receive funding for a green project – just reuse your change by cashing in at a local Coinstar Center®. Your cash-in could mean cleaner rivers and parks in your city, more trees in your neighborhood or rebuilding wildlife habitats.

Is your City the 'Greenest' City?

Cash in at your local Coinstar Center from September 15 through October 15, 2008. The city with the highest percentage increase in coin cash-ins compared to a year ago will be named ‘Coinstar’s Greenest City’. The non-profit organization identified as the finalist in that city will receive a $10,000 grant from Coinstar. The winning city and project will be announced in late October.

You don't have to participate in the contest to make a difference. Coinstar estimates that there is $10 billion in idle change in the U.S. Reusing coins reduces the number of new coins that need to be produced thereby lowering environmental impacts and preserving natural resources. Coinstar encourages Americans to reuse coin in whatever way best suits their needs, whether it's donating it to charity, using it for parking meters, putting it towards cash transactions or cashing in at a Coinstar Center. Consumers can get free coin counting at Coinstar Centers when they choose to place the value of their change onto a gift card or eCertificate from a variety of national retailers.

Coinstar's Greenest City Finalists:

• Atlanta: Trees Atlanta
• Chicago: Chicago Gateway Green
• Dallas: Dallas Arboretum
• Houston: Houston Audubon
• Miami: Citizens for a Better South Florida
• Milwaukee: American Rivers
• NYC: Inform, Inc.
• Phoenix: Arizona Association for Environmental Education
• San Francisco: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
• Seattle: Cascade Land Conservancy

Links / URLs:

• Change for our Earth: www.changeforourearth.com
• Coinstar Website: www.coinstar.com
• Facebook Page: www.facebook.com
• MySpace Page: www.myspace.com
• YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com

# # #

About Coinstar, Inc.

Coinstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSTR) is a multi-national company offering a range of 4th Wall™ solutions for the retailers' front of store consisting of self-service coin counting, money transfer, electronic payment solutions, entertainment services and self-service DVD rental. The Company's products and services can be found at more than 50,000 retail locations including supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchants, financial institutions, convenience stores and restaurants.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Sydney Siegmeth
Porter Novelli
(206) 770-7011
sydney.siegmeth@porternovelli.com

Sarah Jones
Coinstar, Inc.
(425) 943-8121
sjones@coinstar.com