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 6.6 pounds of paper
- Avoid producing 171 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions — the equivalent of:
- The emissions avoided by not driving 169 miles
- The emissions avoided by not consuming 8.8 gallons of gasoline
- Planting 2 tree seedlings and allowing them to grow for 10 years
- Preserving 24 square feet of forestland
- Avoid releasing 63 gallons of wastewater into the environment
- Avoid using 4.5 gallons of gasoline to mail paper items
If only 20% of American households switched from paper to electronic bills, statements and payments each year, the collective impact would...
- Save 150,939,615 pounds of paper
- Save 1,811,275 trees
- Avoid producing almost 2 million tons of greenhouse gases
- Avoid creating over a billion gallons of wastewater during paper production
- Avoid using over 100 million gallons of gas to mail 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.
