Stewardship Tip Jan 19th, 2010 – Paperless Billing
There are many variables that determine the yield of paper from a tree. The figures are ballpark, however, for copier paper, Conservatree estimates that it takes about 24 trees (a combination of hardwood and softwood, 40 feet tall, six to eight inches in diameter) to produce one ton of virgin copier paper. A palette of copier paper contains about 200,000 sheets of paper and weighs about a ton.
A larger company, such as a utility or a bank, could easily print and distribute monthly bills that consume 200,000 sheets of paper. That would amount to 24 trees each month. Many companies do utilize paper that has, at least, a percentage of post-consumer recycled content. An estimate of 200,000 sheets of paper, on the other hand, might be very conservative. When you stop and consider the number of companies that distribute monthly, paper bills, the number of trees that are required grows to an astronomical number.
We can reduce the need for harvesting trees by requesting paperless bill delivery and paying bills on-line.
Trees are important to our fish: In a freestone river, tree lined banks maintain the physical course of the river and prevent siltation. The roots of trees anchor the soil and hold it in place. Indeed, siltation is an unusual event for rivers that run through intact hardwood or boreal forests, even after heavy rains. In contrast, siltation is commonplace on rivers that have had their stream side trees removed or greatly reduced. The consequences of siltation can be devastating for macro invertebrates; the after affects ripple up the food chain. When populations of macro invertebrates are reduced, populations of fish decrease.
When you elect to receive paperless bills, you are making a choice that helps to reduce the need for harvesting trees. Going paperless helps to save our streams, lakes, and rivers by preserving trees.
Now, discuss the Stewardship Tip online!
Have questions about the Stewardship Tip?
First-hand experience?
Want to add to what’s been said here?
Now, you can!
Join us at the Recycled Fish Conservation Forum hosted by Big Fish Tackle for discussions on the Stewardship Tip and other issues relating to the future of our fisheries.
This week’s sponsor-partner:Arbor Day foundation
No one knows trees better than the Arbor Day Foundation. They inspire us to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees!
Their partnership makes this week’s Stewardship Tip Possible.
In addition to their partnership to sponsor this week’s Stewardship Tip, we would like to thank them for sponsoring the Recycled Fish 24 Hour Fish a Thon.
Rising demand for our weekly Stewardship Tip and a new partnership with Fly Cast America now makes the Stewardship Tip available in Spanish. Ahora, reciba el Stewardship Tip en español. Gentileza de Fly Cast America.
To read the weekly Stewardship Tip in Spanish, click here Simplemente haga click aquí si desea recibir el Stewardship tip en Español.
Would you like to get the Stewardship Tip e-mailed to you weekly? Please visit our Stewardship Tips Sign Up page or use the form located at the top right portion of this page.
