Environmental Health 65 2021 Sustainability Report A Modern, High-Performing Health System Introduction Our People and Culture Responsible Business Practices Performance Data In an increasingly digital world, the average consumer’s health care experience too often involves paper. UnitedHealth Group uses 2.8 billion sheets of paper annually to communicate with members. Beyond the environmental impact, the paper-based experience is often more time-consuming and cumbersome for members. Members are asked to review and return documents by mail or fax, or by scanning and emailing. Paper creates inefficiencies that slow down decision-making for members who expect timely answers about their health. We are working with a diverse set of stakeholders, including employers, consumers, providers, health equity advocates and the health care industry, as well as regulators and government partners. Of all the paper we generate, we estimate roughly 40% is related in some way to regulatory direction and requirement. Collaboration with government, regulators and others will be critical to reduce or eliminate as much of this usage as possible and create digital solutions and alternatives for paper-based processes. We are committed to reducing our paper usage and advocating for the reduction of paper across the health system to the greatest extent possible over the coming years. We are working toward providing paperless experiences for consumers and providers — a dual-purpose goal designed to minimize use of energy, water and raw materials while creating a better consumer experience. Reducing paper usage would also improve the speed and simplicity of our member communications by replacing paper-based communications with digital tools. Minimizing the use of paper in the consumer and provider experience Dr. Orr , Optum, Nevada