Whether going paperless appeals to your love of nature, convenience – or both, AT&T* has a million reasons for you to make the switch. Continuing its commitment to environmental sustainability, AT&T today announced a new challenge for AT&T residential home phone, AT&T U-verse(SM) TV, broadband, and wireless customers, nationwide: With the help of the Arbor Day Foundation, AT&T will have a tree planted in honor of each customer who opts in to paperless billing – up to 1 million trees in 2010.
According to PayItGreen, if a million customers switch to paperless billing, this would help to save 400,000 pounds of paper, avoid 6 million pounds of greenhouse gases, and prevent 4 million gallons of wastewater from discharging into lakes, streams, and rivers in a year. And, according to the EPA, planting 1 million trees can absorb more than 1 million tons of carbon dioxide, can provide oxygen for up to 4 million people to breathe in a day,** and can forest more than 1,400 acres of land.***
To opt in to paperless billing and activate the tree planting, AT&T customers can go to www.att.com/paperfree and follow the instructions.**** After enrolling, they can choose to have a tree planted where there is the greatest need — or they can choose between regions of the U.S. that have various needs for reforestation. As examples, in California this helps provide clean drinking water, and in Michigan, it protects rare birds.
In addition to supporting the environment, managing accounts online with paperless billing provides customers secure access to current statements, payment options, and account histories related to their AT&T bills. And, thanks to AT&T's mobile broadband services, customers can access their accounts wherever they are, whenever they want.
"AT&T's commitment to planting trees is a shining example of how corporations can make a positive impact on our environment," said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. "The trees planted by AT&T will help clean the air and drinking water for millions of Americans, restore habitat for wildlife and restore our nation's forests for future generations to enjoy."
Encouraging customers to opt in to paperless billing is one way AT&T is working to support the environment. AT&T accepts wireless devices for recycling in all 2,000-plus of its retail locations. Working with customers and other channels, AT&T estimates it will collect roughly 14 million wireless devices for recycling by the end of 2011, which is the equivalent of keeping more than 920 tons of primary materials and more than 13 tons of toxic waste out of landfills.*****
"At AT&T, we encourage all of our customers to make the switch to paperless billing with us this year," said Philip Bienert, vice president, ATT.COM. "Whether they care about conserving natural resources, supporting reforestation, enjoying the convenience of reducing the amount of mail they receive each month – or all of these things – we're offering them a simple way to make a difference with just a few clicks of the mouse or taps of the smartphone."
In 2009, AT&T announced plans to invest up to $565 million as part of a long-term strategy to deploy more than 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles over the next 10 years. AT&T also works to enhance energy performance and reduce energy consumption and has begun to use alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than 1 million members, supporters, and valued partners. The mission of the Arbor Day Foundation is to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
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