Peace, love, and coupons!

Did you know that over one million trees are cut down each year to print paper coupons? In doing this, millions of gallons of fresh water are contaminated, greenhouse gases are released and tons of paper are forced into the waste stream. I learned this information when I came across an article published by PRNewswire on March 24, 2008. "EZ-PIC Paperless, Instant Coupons Offers Sound Couponing" provides an overview on how you can save the environment while still saving money.

EZ-PIC (TM) paperless was created in November 2006 and since then have more than doubled their in-store presence. These instant coupons provide consumers, retailers, and manufacturers an environmentally friendly way to create coupons. These eco-friendly coupons are found on over 650 store shelves across the nation and include retailers like BI-LO, Big Y, Coborn's, Food City, and Kings. Bob Longo, Vice President of Manufacturer Marketing at Unicous Marketing (the company that created EZ-PIC), says "Our goal is to make EZ-PIC (TM) the new industry standard. EZ-PIC (TM) offers a more effective, cost efficient marketing tool, which is poised to transform the retail, promotional industry, as well as our environment."

Many stores are attempting to minimize their impact on the environment and with the help of these coupons have a great start at just that. Some famous brands that have already started using EZ-PIC paperless coupons include Borden, Bumbe Bee, Land O'Lakes, McCormick and Ocean Spray. In addition to reducing paper waste, EZ-PIC (TM) will plant one tree for every 100 EZ-PIC (TM) coupons redeemed in stores nationwide in honor of Earth Day 2008. For this program they have also partnered with American Forests- "a world leader in planting trees for environmental restoration and a pioneer in the science and practice of urban forestry".

I found this quote at the end of the article very interesting- "As EZ-PIC's use grows among consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers nationwide, America's communities will literally become greener." Just think, if you use less paper, less trees are wasted. You don't need to stop using coupons because they 'waste' paper. Use EZ-PIC (TM) coupons and you can feel good about clipping, saving money, and saving the planet!