Paper is an integral part of our lives since its invention in AD 105. We use paper for various reasons in our daily work routine and today it has completely transformed the way we communicate, record history or write literature. The invention of paper has given rise to other inventions, such as new cleaning products, printing and even food, and without forgetting the benefits that paper provides to millions of freelancers and companies around the world. Paper is portable, thinner and smaller and today it has become such an inseparable part that we cannot imagine our world if it vanishes. But it’s the only way to let us know how valuable paper is to us.
We are well aware of the importance of billing in a commercial enterprise. Paper invoicing helps to get paid for the products offered or services provided to customers by your company, but are you aware of the truth of how much damage paper invoices cause to the environment and the main contributors or culprits in this process are US companies? and freelancers. A survey by oDesk reveals that of more than 70,000 US-based contractors, 32% chose to become self-employed after the job cut. The web offers many job opportunities for freelance designers and these opportunities are not limited to just one but can come from anywhere in the world. And the same goes for freelance writers, this is because companies today are looking for compelling content for their websites, blogs and reviews and even their Twitter account. The Strategies of Management report predicts that there will be an increase in the gross income of freelancers from over $3.4 billion in 2004 to over $3.8 billion in 2009 and the number of graphic design freelancers is expected to increase by the end of the decade from its current figure of 74,000 to more than 86,000.
The fifty largest graphic design firms that only comprise less than 1% of the number of stores but result in more than 16% or $1.3 billion of total turnover, which is a huge number. This would give you an idea of how much paper is wasted on billing alone.
Furthermore, the number of paper invoices generated by American companies is even more alarming. About 13 billion invoices are traded annually from the US, which means that about 25 billion sheets of paper are used in offices each year.
Around the world, 10% of trees are felled to generate bills, and the electricity used to create paper bills is equivalent to the consumption of 20 million households.
It is time we learned a lesson from the European Union. Since January 1, 2004, companies operating in the European Union have a legal obligation to accept electronic invoices.
A study has also revealed that it is possible to reduce the cost of billing by 70%. Changing just 50% of the current paper invoice to electronic invoice would save almost a million trees and 240,000 tons of paper each year. Apart from the monetary benefit, it is also in the interest of our environment. So why don’t we all make a sincere effort to protect our environment and switch to online billing?