Green Ideas

Roughly a third of all garbage, before recycling, is paper and paper products, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. “Going paperless is usually a condition of getting the most favorable terms,” says Greg McBride, a senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com. You might be able to get a better interest rate or secure extra reward points. Companies, of course, cut costs by sending an e-mail instead of printing paper statements and paying postage. Just make sure to check your e-mail regularly so that you don’t miss the e-mail or let it get buried in your inbox.

• Allstate: Customers who sign up for paperless billing (with automatic withdrawal from a bank account) receive a discount of up to 5% on an auto policy, depending on the state. The discount is not available in California, North Dakota and South Dakota.
• Progressive: Policy holders who sign up to get documents electronically save up to 5%, depending on the state and whether the customer buys directly or through an agent. The discount is available in 41 states.
• Sprint: The company gives a one-time $5 credit to customers who sign up for Sprint’s eBill service. (Consumers who get a discount on their plans through an employer are not eligible.)
• Time Warner Cable: Customers in New York can get a $1 credit on their bill each month if they opt for paperless billing.