Paper or Plastic: When the Bill Comes Due
Paper or plastic?
It used to be one of the dominant decisions for consumers.
But as more and more supermarkets and other stores have phased out the use of so-called disposable plastic bags, a different environmental question still lingers: Paper or electronic? Bills, that is.
For many people, paying bills online is a no-brainer way to save time and resources. But millions of Americans continue to receive all their bills by mail, which they pay with paper checks, send with postage, and add to the handling of even more paper mail moving around the country.
It’s estimated that if every American household went paper-free for bill-paying the environmental impact would include
• Reducing solid waste in U.S. landfills by more than 800,000 tons a year
• Saving an estimated 18.5 million trees every year
• Curbing the release of greenhouse gases by 2.1 million tons a year
Some hard-copy holdouts cite security concerns in not going paperless. But others are unable or unwilling to cross a psychological barrier. “I choose to get and pay my bills by mail because it feels more substantial to me,” says a 30 year-old colleague who otherwise recycles and reduces elsewhere in her life. “I just don’t think it’s my responsibility to go paperless if it makes me feel insecure.”
Tell us what you think: Should you be responsible for reducing your carbon footprint by putting away the checkbook and paying bills electronically? When the environmentally responsible route makes you feel uneasy, is it personally responsible to override it?
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Comments
Mr.
how do I pay my comcast bill on line?
Joe Anctil | 4 months ago
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opt
how am I supposed to sign up for paperless billiing? Your web site is not very informative.
mike stoddart | 3 months, 4 weeks ago
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on line bill payment
I got a reminder my payment was due but can not find where to go to pay it online,
gaylia donnally | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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nursing assistant
send me a email went its for payment not to bill me.
cherly isidor | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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own
no question
liping chu | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Mr.
Go paperless
James A. Hammerle | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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Treasurer
I would like to go paperless on reports.
John P Deming | 3 months, 2 weeks ago
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mine manager
I’m new at this online banking and online bill pay. So far I feel save that the utilities co. will not share info with any other places. It does save a stamp and envelope, hope it stays secure.
Douglas Hill | 3 months, 1 week ago
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mrs
how do i pay on line and go paperless
janet cline | 3 months, 1 week ago
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USA
The thing I don’t like about paperless billing is that I do not know if my bill is paid.
I recently paid a subscribtion to a magazine and then they sent me another bill. I
can’t find a phone number to call.
CAROL J. KIRT | 3 months, 1 week ago
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