Metrobank, however, doesn't restrict itself to acquiring physical hardware and add-on technologies to become energy-efficient. "We also employ a combination of green practices," Vergara says.

In their operations, for instance, Vergara says they try to cut back on using--and subsequently wasting--a lot of paper, by employing document imaging solutions. "What usually happens is a person prints several copies of a document," he explains. "With document imaging, employees can just look at one copy of a digital document and annotate from there."

Some of their essential forms have been digitized for the same purpose as well. "Our business forms, for example, can be accessed through the computer," Vergara says, adding that this practice not only saves on paper, but makes transactions faster as well.

At night, Vergara says they encourage employees to pull the plug on electronic appliances or shut the power off a whole floor in order to avoid what is called "vampire power."

"Computers, even if they are turned off, still consume power when on standby," he explains. Powering down or pulling the plug on appliances ensures that no unused energy is wasted.