Most people do not think much about the business transaction of their bank. You may have concerns about fees and convenience, however. Many banks need money to support practices that harm the environment. To get this money, they build many banks in convenient areas to secure more clients. You may not realize that the well-known bank near you funds fossil fuel efforts on a regular basis. When you pay high accounts and ATM fees, your money helps destroy the earth. In fact, a lot of your spending habits support earth-damaging habits. You can, however, begin to make better decisions with a bank that chooses to improve the environment.
What to Look for in an Earth-Friendly Bank
When you are looking for a new bank, it is important to find one that aligns with your values. You want to find a bank that is committed to being earth-friendly. There are a few things you can look for when trying to identify these banks.
The first thing you want to look for is a bank that uses renewable energy. This means that the bank’s energy sources come from natural, sustainable materials. Sources like solar and wind power are perfect for this.
You also want to find a bank that recycles its resources. This means the bank takes old materials and turns them into new items. This cuts down on the amount of material that ends up in landfills every year.
You also want to find a bank that chooses cleaner practices. These banks know how important it is to take care of the earth and make efforts to reduce damage as much as possible.
Many people think this requires taking no action, but you can still protect the earth between small steps for everyday living and big actions like installing solar panels and wind turbines (but not everyone has an accessible roof or enough space for those). For example, look for a bank that considers using recycled paper products so they do not have to chop down more trees.
Finally, you want a bank with strict guidelines about where it lends money. You don’t want your bank supporting destructive fossil fuel projects.
Green Banks: A Better Choice for the Environment
Green banks are a great option when you are looking for a more earth-friendly banking experience. Green banks are banks that have pledged to use renewable energy, recycle resources, and choose cleaner practices. They also have strict guidelines about where they lend money.
Many green banks exist around the world. Some of the most popular ones include Bank of America, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, ING Group, JPMorgan Chase, and UBS.
These banks vary in their approach to being green. Some focus on renewable energy, while others focus on recycling and choosing cleaner practices. However, all of these banks share one goal: protecting the environment.
When you switch to a green bank, you are making a statement that you care about the earth. You are also supporting banks that are making a difference for the environment.
Use of Resources
Banks, like other large corporations, aim to make money. Many banks, however, spend their earnings on practices that harm the environment. Before you sign up for a new bank account, get online and research the bank you want to use. A large percentage of banks fund fossil fuel efforts. Some banks want to change this trend by supporting carbon offsets, instead. Carbon offsets include wind farms, efficient insulation on buildings, and reforestation. Earth-friendly banks may also encourage new customers with better rates, minimal fees, and rewards.
Reduces Waste
You can also look for banks that reduce waste. Look for simple practices that support the environment, such as the recycled Aspiration debit card. Check this here for more info. Banks may hand out hundreds or thousands of debit cards daily. Every new customer gets a debit card, and this card gets replaced every year or two when it expires. Customers also get new cards if their card gets lost or stolen. While your debit card may seem small, hundreds of debit cards add up to a lot of plastic. Online banks also reduce waste by limiting paper use. You can simply sign up online and choose paperless billing.
Supports Education
You may not have time to research every establishment you shop at. Most people support companies that contribute to damaging the earth on a daily basis. Think about the number of places you visit throughout the week. Shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues may fund efforts that hurt our planet. Aspiration bank informs customers when they spend money with a company that funds harmful actions. Educating customers on their purchasing power, makes it easier for them to make good choices. When a bank does the research for you, it becomes easier to help the environment. Aspiration also offers educational resources on their website.
What you can do today with your bank account
You can make a difference, no matter what kind of business transactions you make each day. You may not always have time to research every company you come across in daily life. Earth-friendly banks help inform customers when they fund bad behavior against the environment. When you become an Aspiration customer, you also join a community of people who want to make better choices for the planet. You can also look for banks that reduce waste. Waste-free banks may hand out fewer cards and use less paper. You can also sign up for online banking to avoid wasting resources. Finally, find a bank that supports environmental education like Aspiration.
Many people use their bank daily. When you make a debit card purchase, visit an ATM, or make a deposit, you use banking services. You may pay fees to keep your account open or use an ATM machine. These fees often help support the production of fossil fuels. Your daily spending actions can help save the environment when you choose a responsible banking institution, however. Look for a bank that reduces waste, educates customers, and funds carbon offsets. If you choose a better bank, your daily spending habits can support earth-friendly businesses and help you earn rewards with your bank. Get ready to make an impact on planet earth by finding a more ethical bank.