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Cut down paper, not trees

Written by Suze Chalmers

Australians consume an amazing 4.4 million tonnes of paper and paper products each year – that’s 200kg each! “Given the seriousness of the climate change issue and the limited supply of our natural resources, it is not sustainable for us to continue as a paper-heavy and paper-reliant society,” said Sean Barrett, of Planet Ark.

PaperCutz 4 Planet Ark

The ‘PaperCutz 4 Planet Ark’ campaign aims to reduce the environmental impacts of paper-based communications by encouraging people to switch to online documentation for their financial communications. The campaign developed from a successful pilot program with Founding Partner Colonial First State. So far, 170,000 Colonial First State clients have elected to receive documentation, such as annual reports and account statements, electronically.

“This has led to huge environmental savings,” according to Sean Barrett, CEO of Planet Ark. “On average each tonne of paper removed from commercial correspondence saves an estimated 18 trees, 67,500 litres of water, 9,500 kWh of energy and 3.3 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.”

No-brainer for the environment

“This is a no-brainer: it is good for the environment, and good for business. I’m happy to share our experience with others in the industry and get them involved in ‘PaperCutz 4 Planet Ark’,” said Brian Bissaker, CEO of Colonial First State. “Our relationship with Planet Ark has helped us see that you can make achievable, tangible environmental changes in the workplace where everybody wins.”

Through ‘PaperCutz 4 Planet Ark’ Colonial First State have saved over 90 tonnes of paper from going into circulation. Do the maths and it adds up to impressive environmental results that contribute directly to the financial giant’s triple bottom line and sustainability achievements.

A winning program

Add cost savings to the equation and you have a winning program. When viewed as a part of their broader sustainability initiatives, Colonial First State now save over $4 million in production, distribution and power costs each year, and they’ve helped the environment a second time over by so far donating over $340,000 to Planet Ark’s educational environmental campaigns and programs on behalf of their clients.

So impressed is Bissaker by the success of the scheme that he is going to lobby the heads of other financial services companies and recruit them to the ‘PaperCutz 4 Planet Ark’ program.

“The financial services industry produces huge volumes of information for its clients,” said Bissaker. “Much of that information can be delivered electronically. By teaming with Planet Ark we have converted 1 in 5 customers to electronic receipt of some documentation.”

Barret adds that “while there is vigorous debate over meeting the carbon challenge and achieving sustainability, it is vital that companies demonstrate a determination to act on behalf of the environment. Australians are doing their bit at home and they want to see business making an effort too.”

Planet Ark

Planet Ark is a not-for-profit organisation and is largely funded by corporate sponsorship. They work in partnership with businesses and organisations that want to help bring about real environmental change. Planet Ark is also funded through the sale of a range of environmentally responsible products and product endorsements.

Visit Planet Ark for more information.

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