Clam Lorenz, General Manager of Social Innovation, PayPal
With snowstorms of the century and
One of the largest factors of environmental change is deforestation. Even in today’s digital society, global paper consumption is on the rise, with North America and Western Europe as the two largest consumers. North American’s alone consume 500 pounds of paper annually and with this booming demand, almost half of the logging industry going directly to paper.[1]
Every consumer can combat this environmental change with a device found in their pocket – their smartphone. Think about adopting these mobile habits to make paper obsolete and encourage your workplace to do the same. Taking the stand against paper will not only save trees, but also the water and energy to produce it.
Apps to Go Paperless:
Dropbox uses your phone as a mobile storage device to save and access vital documents in one place. By sharing files and folders users save energy and resources to printing and sending documents. PayPal creates a paperless way to pay. With mobile banking and transfers, consumers don’t need to withdraw money or write a check. The app helps everyone from businesses to friends splitting a bill, and it also finds local deals online to help eliminate clipping paper coupons. Evite helps party planners create special events without the hassle of printing materials, sending the invites and sending back the R.S.V.P.s Evernote Premium creates a paperless and streamlined life by eliminating unnecessary documents such as receipts, to-lists, and reminders. The app helps users take notes, make lists and save pictures all using one device. Amazon Kindle creates an alternative to carrying large textbooks or work on the go, which helps save the environment with the decreased demand of printed material
And remember to always recycle! Recycling one ton of paper saves around 682.5 gallons of oil, 26,500 liters of water and 17 trees![2]
Sources
[1] "The Facts - Paper Consumption and It's Impacts" – ForestEthics, (date not provided)
[2] "Paper Waste Facts" – The World Counts (date not provided)