Green Tips: Choose Paperless Billing

In a week where President Barack Obama set new emission standards for cars at 35 mpg by 2016, we see an example of how macro changes in big industries like car manufacturers can lead to micro changes, reducing the carbon footprint of each of us as individuals.

While we wait for these important legislative changes to take effect, individuals can make an immediate impact with simpler, green actions — including changing the way we pay our bills.

This week, U.S. Bank requested via email that I save paper and switch to electronic statements. Comcast did the same with my cable bill. I recently switched my credit card bills to paperless by simply clicking a couple links online.

For people like me, the pain of junk mail more than justifies the switch to eBills.  And the actions we need to take to make the switch are quite simple.  So just how big are the green benefits of going paperless? Are these companies just trying to dress up a little less paperwork and efficiency with greenwash?

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