BT to push paper-free billing

Telecoms group BT is flexing its green muscles by telling half a million of its most "internet friendly" customers they must "opt in" to receive paper bills.

As Marks & Spencer announced its commitment to go "carbon neutral", BT confirmed it has instructed 600,000 internet customers they will only be sent paper bills if they "opt in" before Wednesday. The move forms part of BT's campaign to cut its carbon emissions.

A spokesman for the group reassured its 16 million-strong customer base that the plans would not affect everyone.

He said: "It is targeted at people who use the internet regularly, people we know like getting things online. It's a question of working with people to are happy to work online."

BT chief executive Ben Verwaayen has spearheaded a campaign to cut the company's carbon emissions.

Customers who agree to paper-free billing and pay by direct debit or a monthly payment plan are given a 25p discount on monthly line rental.

A sapling is also bought on behalf of every paper-free customer and BT say 220,000 trees have so far been planted on their behalf by the Woodland Trust.

Although BT first began offering a paper-free service a year ago, the "latest wave" began with a letter to selected customers on January 10, boosting the numbers targeted to 600,000, the spokesman said.

The size of the response from the customers who have received the letter is impossible to predict at this stage, but BT remain "hopeful" customers will help them go green.

"We are very keen on our green credentials," the spokesman said. "We know there is plenty more to do."