Why Pay It Green

Some facts about the environmental impact of paper.

In aggregate, the amount of paper used by modern industrial societies is staggering. The financial industry represents a significant percentage of that paper use. Though we often take it for granted, the lifecycle cost of paper — including production, transportation, and disposal — has a tremendous impact on the environment.

In one year, by switching from paper to electronic billing, statements, and payments, the average American household would...

• Save 6 pounds of paper
• Save 23 pounds of wood
• Prevent producing 29 pounds of greenhouse gases
  • Saving this amount of greenhouse gas is the equivalent of:
    • The emissions avoided by not driving 30 miles
    • The emissions avoided by not consuming 2 gallons of gasoline
    • Planting 0.4 tree seedlings and allowing them to grow for 10 years

If only 20% of American households switched from paper to electronic bills, statements and payments each year, the collective impact would...

• Save 146,930,912 pounds of paper
• Save 542,669,898 pounds of wood
• Prevent producing 689,437,189 pounds (312,709 tons) of greenhouse gases
  • Saving this amount of greenhouse gas is the equivalent of:
    • The emissions avoided by not driving 700,798,252 miles
    • Taking 60,939 cars off the road
    • The emissions avoided by not consuming 35.2 million gallons of gasoline
    • Planting 8.7 million tree seedlings and allowing them to grow for 10 years
    • Preserving 1,069 acres of forest from deforestation
• Avoid creating 1,632,318,487 gallons of wastewater
• Avoid creating enough wastewater to fill 2,472 Olympic-size swimming pools
• Avoid filling 7,011,224 household garbage bags with waste
• Avoid filling 5,008 garbage trucks with waste
• Avoid using 14,936,853 gallons of gasoline to mail bills, statements, and payments

Many people and businesses making small changes add up to a big difference!

Here are some important reasons to join:

PayItGreen marketing programs work.

We have developed tested and proven tools that help motivate people to kick the paper habit and make the switch to electronic payments. When you use PayItGreen to communicate with your customers, they'll respond positively to your green marketing initiatives.

PayItGreen helps you be recognized for your environmental commitment.

Members can display the PayItGreen logo to demonstrate commitment to a national program dedicated to the environment through paper reduction.

PayItGreen facilitates collaboration with your industry peers.

Beyond proven marketing tools, PayItGreen is about sharing ideas. As a member you'll be part of a collaboration with finance industry peers to exchange information and best practices in the area of positive environmental change.

PayItGreen: Good for the environment and good for you.