Over 20 U.S leading companies from the fortune 500 list, have removed their “Anti-Paper,” go green campaigns from asking consumers to switch to paperless options for billing. This issue exactly fits in with the recent unethical trend of using “Greenwashing,” in achieving company objectives. This case is not any different, as environmental impacts from consuming paper vs, pixels is actually IN FAVOR and more sustainable in consuming paper products.
Company’s give the impression that by using paper for billing that we are “destroying the trees,” when really trees are a renewable source, that for example, in the U.S more trees are being grown per year- than what is being consumed (I bet consumers didn’t know that.)
Of course consumers know that if they choose to go paperless, it will evidently save the company some money from paper, printing and mailing costs. But does the consumer really know the bigger picture… that using paper is not “Saving the trees,” (a common phrase used to encourage consumers to switch) but rather only “Saving Costs,” for the giant corporations?
From a few different articles I have read, they bring up some interesting points that in fact, as a consumer I did not know.
Here’s a few points to consider:
1. Paper is made from a renewable energy source, where computers and the data infrastructure centres that supports them comes from finite resources and rare earth materials.
2. Consumer’s also don’t know that there is HUGE environmental impacts from switching from paper to e-media. Disposing of computer e-waste is a lot more detrimental and adds a lot more to the global waste stream than does paper. In fact, nearly 61.5% of paper products can be recovered and recycled, compared to only 31% of computer products.
3. The claims are in fact working AGAINST the U.S Economy and threatening many U.S Jobs, as a total of 8.4 million jobs depend on the U.S mailing industry (paper production, printing, graphic design, mail distribution.) Again, working against the environment and it’s people.
4. Let’s be frank, although we all think we are making a difference with the environment and get the e-version, most of us need the actual documents for record-keeping purposes. So the bills are being printed out anyways.
I would love to see some company’s be thoroughly transparant with us, and instead of say “Go Green– Go Paperless,” say “Go Paperless– Help Cut Costs.” I would respect a company a hell of a lot more, and probably for the harsh honesty, decide to go paperless.
Would any of those aspects change your mind to receiving an actual bill or e-bill? What are your thoughts?
Personally, I still would receive an E-bill rather than a paper options only due to storage space, and getting a huge influx and accumulation of paper, where I will end up throwing them out anyways. Would love to hear your opinion on the subject. Comment Below!
Sources:
http://eeiplatform.com/13502/20-leading-u-s-companies-remove-go-green-go-paperless-claims/
http://www.twosides.us/US/Go-paperless-Go-Green-Most-consumers-dont-believe-it-Its-time-for-companies-to-quit-saying-it
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/greenwashing.asp