U.S. National Forests damaged by wildfires, insects and disease will be getting some much needed help thanks to Progressive car insurance customers who have chosen to receive their policy documents electronically. Not only are those customers saving trees by saving paper, they’re also getting trees planted in their honor. Progressive began offering to plant trees in 2007 to help raise awareness of its paperless program. Since then, more than 1 million customers have signed up.

“Our customers rose to the challenge and now we’re following through on our commitment” said Christine Johnson, Progressive’s customer experience general manager. “When we began the tree planting campaign we had no idea where it would end up, but we’re pleased it has led to such a significant result”

Progressive will provide funding for the 1 million trees to the Arbor Day Foundation, the country’s leading nonprofit, conservation and education organization dedicated to planting trees. The U.S. Forest Service has identified a backlog of more than 1 million acres that need to be replanted. Since 1990, the Arbor Day Foundation has helped to replant more than 13 million trees.

“Encouraging customers to go paperless is a great way for companies to help the environment, and we applaud Progressive for doing it. Progressive’s generous donation to plant 1 million trees is truly a significant gift to the environment” said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “By planting trees in our nation’s forests, Progressive is making a positive impact for generations to come”

While Progressive’s tree planting campaign is wrapping up, it will continue to offer discounts where available to customers who choose to go paperless. What may not be obvious here is that this is a win win for everyone. Using less paper is great, you also cut down on co2 from the trucks that have to carry the millions of envelopes around the country, and Progressive saves a crap load of money because they can now automate everything on a computer. And on top of all that they are replacing a million trees which will suck more co2 out of the air.

Progressive also sponsors the Automotive X prize, with the goal of getting a 100mpg car built. I think their next step should be offering discounts to their customers that drive less. This would lower their chances of getting in a crash, and decrease the amount of co2 produced. Drivers that drive less would also cost Progressive less because they would be crashing less. These sort of setups show that being green and making money are not incompatible.