Photo courtesy of Message!Products.com
Writing checks is second nature to us today, but is there some way writing a check can help the Earth? Sure, you could write a check to your favorite environmental charity, but do you know that you could use a check that is made of environmentally friendly materials? Or, use a check that helps reduce landfill waste, and in some cases gives a donation at the same time to a worthy charity? Well, you are in luck because four companies offer checks made out of recycled materials. Out of those four companies, purchases from two of those companies benefits certain charities. Check writing never seemed so eco-friendly!
Check Gallery prints their checks using soy based ink on recycled 24lb MICR bond paper with 20% post-consumer fiber.
“With The Check Gallery, everyone can relax and feel good about their purchases. Not only do we use the latest innovations in recycling, we create attractive products that cost much less than the bank’s. It’s this kind of commitment that makes The Check Gallery America’s leading earth-friendly check company,” according to their website.
Check Gallery checks are produced using assorted different themes ranging from scenic America to ladybugs checks. The cost for one part checks is $21.90 for 2 boxes containing 300 checks. Two part checks for the same amount costs $29.90. For first time buyers, the cost of the first box of 150 costs $9.95 and the second box is $.49.
Classic Checks’ designs benefit important causes such as the humane society, breast cancer awareness, and the defenders of wildlife.
“Our environmentally-friendly outreach begins with our recycled products. We manufacture our checks in an ecologically safe manner at our full-scale manufacturing facility in Maryland. Our checks are printed on 24 lb. recycled MICR paper with 20% post-consumer fiber, the highest possible using today’s technology. Additionally, our checks are printed with vegetable-based inks, free of toxic solvents and residues. So purchasing our checks helps reduce landfill waste,” according to their website.
The first 150 checks (one box) cost $13.95 for one part checks and $17.95 for wallet duplicates. If you order 2 boxes, one part checks cost $27.90 and wallet duplicates costs $35.90. For first time buyers, the first 150 checks cost $12.95 for one part checks and $13.95 for duplicate wallets. They can be ordered through their website or The Check Gallery.
“Since 1985 Message!Products® has been dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations raise money and spread their important messages. The program was designed with the needs of nonprofits in mind: a need for excellence, low maintenance, and exceptional service. Our mission has not changed. Message!Products® now works with over 100 non-profit organizations, producing checks and related products that reflect the identity and integrity of the representative organization. The checks are printed on recycled paper (20% post-consumer) with soy-based inks. Our products are environmentally unique, utilizing recycled fibers, soy and hemp,” according to their website.
They welcome nonprofits to join their program by filling out the Company’s online questionnaire, and offer checks that benefit animal, social, environmental, and varying other organizations.
“We have contracts with all the organizations for whom we print checks. Because we are printing their checks, we must have their permission to reproduce their organization’s copyrighted logos. In exchange for the right to reproduce the logo, we give a percentage of each sale to the organization. Royalties are based on the sales price of each product, and vary with type of product and the details of each licensing agreement. The average royalty is 10%. Check with an individual organization to determine its exact royalty amount.”
I chose the Jane Evershed Children Defense League checks when I ordered my checks. “Jane Evershed is an internationally renowned artist who has been painting professionally since 1980. Born in
One box cost $14.95 for one part checks and $17.95 for two part checks.They have a special introductory offer for first time buyers of 2 boxes at the cost of $20.90 for one part checks and $22.90 for two part checks.
In addition, they also offer a hemp checkbook cover if your old vinyl one is falling apart for $14.95.
Checks listed under the “Recycled” section by Checks Unlimited are printed on recycled paper. They offer three different styles in nature designs. Within each design, you can chose from four different styles. If you order 2 boxes, the cost is $21.99 for one part and $27.99 for two part checks. If you order 4 boxes, the cost is $36.80 for one part and $45.80 for two part checks.
Just think of all the good you will be doing if you order any of the checks above. Every time you pen your “John Hannock” on a check and give it to someone, you have helped the Earth by reducing the amount of waste and toxic materials going into our landfills. Perhaps, your purchase helped out a charity that you favor. Unfortunately, helping the Earth in this situation does not help your declining bank balance for each check you write. But hey, it will make you smile knowing you did something to help Mother Earth.
Vascabruta says
September 24, 2007 at 12:23 amGreat idea to use recycled paper checks, especially if they give part of their profits to charity. Another good way to help the environment is by using e-checks or by using your bank’s online bill pay service. Most banks offer that now and it’s free. You can also stop receiving paper bank statements and receive statements online only, save a whole lot of paper that way.
g2bgreen.com
Green Talk says
September 24, 2007 at 12:51 amI absolutely agree with about using e-checks and online banking. I prefer to do that myself rather than write a check. Glad you brought this up.
Readers, Vascabruta’s site is g2bgreen.com. Take a look. Another good green living site.
Dr. Ir. Daan Vreugdenhil says
March 8, 2008 at 6:29 amWriting a check certainly helps with what we do:
National parks and nature reserves are beautiful places that need to be preserved worldwide. They are the only hope for protecting the majority of the plants and animals in the world. These areas need park rangers to protect them. In developing countries, the majority of the national parks lack park rangers, while the most limiting factor in conservation worldwide is the shortage of rangers. We have estimated a ranger deficit of more than 100,000 in developing countries. Currently no government or conservation organization in the world addresses this problem. That is why the Adopt A Ranger Foundation has been created: http://www.adopt-a-ranger.org
Help us spread the cause by visiting the Adopt A Ranger website and leaving a message on your parks forum at: http://www.birdlist.org/phpbb and posting some of your pictures of national parks at: http://www.nature-worldwide.info/phpbb. You can also visit my blog at: http://naturalplaces.blogspot.com/ or our informative website http://www.birdlist.org
By allowing this comment on your site, you help us promote conservation!
Green Talk says
March 8, 2008 at 6:57 amDr Vreugdenhil, anytime I can be of assistance, just let me know. Also, come back and visit often. I welcome any advice you may have regarding conservation as well as any new programs being offered at Adopt A Ranger. Anna