We communicate by paper every day, often because we are required by law to do so. Still, we strive daily to reduce the paper we use, seeking a balance between doing business as required and minimizing our effect on the environment.
In 2009 we reaped the environmental benefits of a multi-year effort to convert to electronic formats and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments more than one million remittance statements and paper drafts previously mailed or hand delivered to our car rental suppliers and network body shops.
This year, among other things, we’re converting to electronic formats more than one million paper payments for our claims medical payment providers.
Steps like these are better for the environment and provide savings we pass on to you.
- partnered with our independent agents on e-strategy efforts, with 99% choosing to receive agency documents electronically and 63% of agency commissions being paid through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
- used recycled and Forest Stewardship Council certified paper in our print shop and with two of our primary suppliers, saving 266 trees, 356,491 gallons of water, and 30,712 gallons of oil.
- saved 140 tons of paper by converting from 20 lb. to 18 lb. paper for automated printing.
- switched the quick reference “claims cards” we provide to customers from 24 lb. PVC plastic cards to 100% biodegradable PVC.
- programmed printers in our Cleveland-based management offices to omit document cover pages.
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If you'd like to reduce your own paper usage, here are some tips you may find useful.