Want to keep up with the latest in tech?
Don’t Be Guilty of Paper Crime - Reduce Clutter, Protect the Environment, Save Time
Do you have a habit of keeping those paper utility bills in case a dispute happens? Does your drawer contain folders of manuals, receipts, handouts, newsletters, etc. for reference later on? Do you sometimes forget to pay your bills because your monthly statement was late or worse, did not arrive? How many magazines and newspapers are stacked on your desk waiting for you to read them? Do you constantly print or photocopy materials when you can easily view them from your computer?
If you are like a lot of people, chances are you are guilty of paper crime which not only causes clutter in your home or workplace but also inflicts damage to the environment. When mature trees are cut to produce paper, we also take the risk of inhaling unhealthy air or reducing our water supply. Trees filter out pollution, protect sources of freshwater, and fill the earth with oxygen. On the other side, factories that process paper produce pollutants.
Here are five ways to help you reduce clutter and eliminate those paper mess, protect the environment, and also save time (because, seriously, who wants to go through mounds of paper just to find a single document?):
- Scan documents and receipts.
If you can’t throw away documents or receipts, try scanning or taking a picture of these with your digital camera or smartphone. You can then save these in organized digital folders on your mobile phone, personal computer, or hard drive. Also, have a backup in the cloud for added security and safety. - Switch from paper to digital subscriptions.
Evaluate your subscriptions. If magazines and newspapers are only gathering dust on your table, perhaps it’s better to switch to the digital version and read on-the-go. - Don’t be trigger happy.
Think twice before hitting the print button. Keep printing and copying to a minimum or only when absolutely necessary. - Go shopping with an eco bag.
We often accumulate lots of paper bags when we shop or buy food for takeout and these just end up in the trash. An eco bag could be the answer to this concern, so bring one whenever you leave the house. - Sign up to paperless billing.
Instead of waiting for your monthly bill to reach your mailbox, sign up for electronic billing that will allow you to view your statement anytime and anywhere via email. Globe Telecom, for instance, advocates paperless billing as part of its sustainability practice. Postpaid customers who want to join the campaign may text PAPERLESS<space>[account number]<space>[e-mail address] to 26826, dial *143# on their mobile phones and follow the instructions, visit www.globe.com.ph/gogreen or Globe MyAccount, drop by at any Globe Store, or call the Customer Service Hotline at 211 (toll-free from their mobile phone) or 730-1000 (from any landline). More details are available at www.globe.com.ph/help/postpaid/billing/paperless.html.