By Karen Schiff | Ecobunga!

What’s the top reason shoppers don’t buy green? (Hint: It ain’t cheap.)

That’s right. It’s price.

According to a 2009 survey by market research firm Mintel, the top reason consumers don’t shop green continues to be cost. Fifty-four percent of survey respondents said they would buy more green products but the products are too expensive. Hopefully, supply and demand will eventually bring down the price of eco-friendly goods. But in the meantime, what’s a frugal green shopper to do?

Here are a few thrifty tips that can help eco-conscious consumers stretch their dollars:

Finding Green Bargains

Online Coupons: Coupons for organic foods are not nearly as common as they are for conventional grocery items. However, many of the larger companies producing organic foods, such as Horizon Dairy and Stonyfield Farms, do offer coupons you can print from their websites.

Savings Books:  If you’re lucky, there might just be a local coupon book for green products and services for your metro area.  Examples include Green Zebra (San Francisco, Silicon Valley);  EcoMetro (East Bay, Silicon Valley, Denver, Portland, Seattle, Twin Cities); Green Savings Indy (Indianapolis), and the Go Green Coupon Book (San Diego).

Mobile Coupons: Mobile coupon applications are starting to go green as well, like T-mobiles Green Perks which delivers discounts on green products and services right to your phone.  Just be cautious when using automated applications like these – sometimes products slip through that are a shade short of green.

Bulk Discounts: Buying in bulk is one of the easiest ways to save money. Amazon.com, on its Green and Natural & Organic Grocery pages, offers lots of super-sized green goods — everything from 10 packs of Seventh Generation paper towels to 24 packs of Clif Kids Organic Fruit Ropes.  Plus, shipping over $25 is usually free.

In addition, many organic food companies, like Eden Foods and Rocky Mountain Organic Meats offer bulk orders through their websites. If a large quantity order is too much for your household, find a “bulk buddy” and split the order.

Sales and Discounters: Online, you’ll find lots of green e-tailers with sales pages and seasonal promotions — everyone from big names like green-living superstore Gaiam, which has a terrific Outlet section, to small mom-and-pop sites.  Other online retailers noted for deep discounts also sell eco-friendly products, like Overstock.com, Drugstore.com, and Sierra Trading Post.  Just remember, though, that sometimes the dirt in dirt-cheap isn’t always good for the earth.  Just because a company sells eco-friendly products, doesn’t necessarily mean that they operate in an environmentally responsible manner.

Free Shipping: Free shipping deals from green e-tailers offer a great value for folks who don’t live within easy driving distance to stores with eco-friendly products. Just be sure to read the fine print — restrictions usually apply.

We hope these tips help you save some green while you go green.  After all, being eco-conscious doesn’t mean you can’t be cost-conscious, too!

Karen Schiff is the co-founder of Ecobunga.com – a directory that lists hundreds of deals and giveaways for eco-friendly products, everything from coupons on organic foods to sweepstakes for hybrid cars.