Introduction
More and more people are going “paperless” when it comes to paying their bills. They do so by settling their monthly dues online through a bills payment app.
It’s not hard to do the same, and joining the movement offers plenty of advantages not just to the environment but also to you as a consumer. Read this article today to learn about those benefits:
For the Environment
Many billers offer their subscribers the choice to receive electronic bills rather than the traditional ones printed on paper. Choosing the paperless option can have significant and positive effects on the environment in the long run. Here are the ways it can do so:
Leaves Less Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint is a term that refers to the amount of greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide) produced due to certain human activities, such as traveling in cars and using electronic devices. Each person in the world is estimated to emit about 4 metric tons of CO2 every year, according to data from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
In the Philippines, the average for each person is less than 2 metric tons annually. This is less than half of the global average, according to WWF’s estimates. However, it does not mean that Filipinos should be complacent about their greenhouse gas emissions.
The traditional way of receiving and paying bills has a lot of carbon footprint. You have to use motor vehicles to go to the payment center, so you are already releasing quite a lot of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The machines used by tellers in the facility are powered by electricity, which means they leave plenty of carbon footprints.
There is much less carbon footprint if you simply choose to receive paperless bills and settle them using a bills payment app. You do not have to leave your home, so you’re not releasing plenty of toxic greenhouse gases into the air.
Produces No Paper Waste
Depending on the service provider, billing statements are typically printed on several sheets of paper. Let’s say that you receive bills from four different companies: one for electricity, another for water, and then for the internet, and finally, for your phone. Assuming each of them needs only a single page, it means that you receive four sheets of paper bills every month.
That much doesn’t seem too significant. However, multiply that by 12, and you’ll end up with 48 sheets of paper that only get thrown into the bin every year. Multiply that number once more by the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people in the Philippines who also receive paper bills. That’s just half of the problem because a significant amount of paper waste is also produced by printing out receipts.
Thankfully, there’s a way to reduce paper waste as much as possible: to choose to receive electronic bills and receipts. If you use an app to receive and pay your bills, you’re not using (and therefore not wasting) any paper at all.
Helps Save Trees and Forests
The amount of paper being wasted every year because of bills and receipts all come from trees. Forests will continue to shrink if we recklessly use paper just to print out bills and receipts that could have been sent electronically via text message or email.
Trees in the forests are essential for the ecosystem. They are practically home to plenty of animals, ranging from the tiniest insects to some of the biggest fauna. More than that, though, human survival can be highly dependent on forests, according to WWF. Forests, after all, are essential in producing the oxygen we breathe.
There are many ways to help save trees in the forests, and one of them is reducing the use of paper that only ends up getting wasted. Going paperless when it comes to paying and receiving bills is a small step, but it can be a good start for everyone.
For the Consumers
Going paperless by using a reliable bills payment app benefits consumers like you, as well. Here are some of the perks you might enjoy:
Pay Bills Anytime and Anywhere
One of the most prominent advantages of using an app to pay bills is convenience. You no longer have to dress up and leave your home to settle your monthly dues. The only thing you need to do is connect your mobile device to the internet and log into the app. Tap the right buttons, and you’re done!
Never Forget Paying
We get it! There are times when you’re just too busy that you forget some of your most important obligations, such as paying bills. This can happen, too, if you accidentally lose or misplace your billing statement. You’ll only remember it when you get a disconnection notice, or your services have been cut off already.
By using the best apps to pay bills, you will no longer encounter this problem. Your bills are sent to you via email or text, so you will always have a copy with you. Additionally, you can set up an alarm or notification about the due date of your bills, which prevents you from forgetting about them. Also, even if you’re busy, you can still pay your bills. After all, you only need to spare a few minutes to complete all the transactions.
Fast and Secure Payments
The problem with paying in billing offices is that you might end up falling in long lines. You won’t experience this when you pay your bills through an app. You can complete the entire process in a matter of minutes, so you won’t waste your time waiting for your turn while in a queue.
Electronic transactions are incredibly secure, as well. However, you can always download a copy or take a screenshot of your receipt for extra insurance. If any problem arises with your payment, you can always argue that you have already settled your dues.
Conclusion
Going paperless has many benefits, not just for the environment but also for consumers. It is a good thing that there are many bills payment apps available right now that you can use if you choose to pay your bills online. One of the best options to download is the eCebuana app, developed by Cebuana Lhuillier, which is among the most trusted financial institutions in the Philippines.
The eCebuana app is free to download and easy to use. You won’t find it hard to learn how to navigate the program, even if you’re a first-timer. And if you ever encounter any problem with it, you can always contact us here at Cebuana Lhuillier. Our friendly staff members will be more than glad to assist you!