Why? Because we don’t need paper billing, we need trees.
THROWAWAY
FACT
Approximately 1 billion trees worth of paper are thrown away every year in the U.S.
The easy equation with all these new habits we’re building is that consumption = emissions. It’s really as simple that. That’s emissions all the way from extracting, manufacturing, packaging, transporting and disposing, not to mention running the offices and factories to do it all. It’s an emissions system. So, in effect, we’re training ourselves to turn away from unthinking consumption towards using less. If everyone held that in mind, the world would experience a seismic rejuvenatory shift.
We often think paper’s fine because it can be recycled, but we need to remember that it takes energy to recycle things. Plus paper can only be recycled so many times and mostly it’s not recycled at all. If we’re to have true impact, we need to change at source.
As a contrary juxtaposition: did you know that to produce a single tonne of paper consumes approximately 20 full grown trees? Put that alongside scientists stating that forest restoration isn’t just one of our climate change solutions, it is overwhelmingly the top one. Hm.What’s urgently needed now, is credits, not debits. Paperless.
Ok got it. So how do I take action?
Let’s start with switching to paperless billing. When we consider our bank statements, utility bills, phone, TV and internet (for starters) coming in every month, that can add up to a lot. Many of you will have done this already, but for us stragglers…
The easiest way is to switch to paperless when your next bill come in. It takes a little bit of commitment and focus, but the trick is to do it then and there.
Follow the instructions on your bill. You usually have to create an online account, which can feel like a bit of a faff. Once that’s done, simply tick the paperless option. Done.
Bank statements are easy. Go to online banking and switch paper billing off. Most banks do paperless as default for personal accounts but not for business.
If you like being organised, create a bookmark folder in your browser for all your bills and accounts, possibly saving the passwords. Then it’s seamless if you need to check anything.
The main thing is do it when your next bill comes in. There and then, or it won’t happen.
But will it cost me more money?
Usually less. Many services give discounts for going paperless.
We…
Aimee: I’m pretty good at selecting the paperless option when setting up new accounts but there are a few accounts or types of mailings (like promotional mail from credit cards) that seem to have snuck through. Time to kick them to the curb…
Sonia: I’ve hung dinosaur-like on to paper billing, as I like having them in a file in my office. Sad, I know. I also tend to forget all my online passwords and then lose the will to live when I go online to do a simple task. Time for me to eject and start living in the 21st century.
“Less is less
”
Photo: Alexa Suter