Ethical Consumption, Talk about the good work of consumers who make choices based on the sustainability of supply chains, along with the companies that respond to these ethical demands.

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Digging out of the Junk Mail Mountain

Caitlin Chock | Tuesday 3rd November 2009

After going to my mailbox to collect my mail after a few days away, I am always surprised at just how much junk gets crammed into that little box. If it isn't those annoying reminders from magazine companies alerting to me that if I act NOW I can save up to 50% off the newsstand price, its credit cards that I'm instantly approved for, or catalogs I have no idea where they got my address. (No, I am not a 60 year old male with prostate problems, thank you very much.) Buried among that mess are the bank statements, bills, and a few super market circulars. Yes, it seems that the majority of what gets sent through the post now-a-days is junk. Thinking just how much paper and waste is generated from all that mail does not do well to support a greener product consumption.

So how can we rid ourselves of the mountains of junk mail? There is a way to unburden yourself from all those unwanted deliveries, but it will take some effort on your part and a bit of persistence, as those advertisers desperately want your business. (Economic times are tough for everyone!) But don't let that dissuade you from doing the right thing. First, before recycling all that paper, (I know you would never just toss it in the trash! :) ) take a moment to
actually look at the darned thing. If there is a phone number or way to contact them, do so and request to be taken off of their mailing list. As to the credit card companies, tell them you aren't interested and wish to be taken from their contact list as well. Then, you can submit your name to the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service and list yourself as a DMA individual, or a 'Do Not Mail'.

As to the catalogs and magazines, keep what you actually intend on reading and then unsubscribe to the rest. Call
the numbers found in the references and let them know you aren't looking to be sent any more of their scintillating
issues. If none of these measures fully stop the flow of junk, there are services that can further curtail your mail
deliveries such as Green Dimes or 41 Pounds; you can find all their information online.

Okay, well not EVERYTHING is categorized as junk, you do after all want to know the status of your bank account and
other assorted bills. However, many banks and companies now offer a 'paperless' option in which every transaction and update is done online and through your email account. Sign up for these, and then you will receive notices in your inbox, pay for your cellphone bills on your carrier's site, and significantly reduce the amount of wasted paper spent on your monthly reminders. By weeding out the amount of mail stuffed into your mailbox, you not only will be ridding yourself of the annoyance of all those fliers, but doing your part to having more ethical product consumption habits.

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Recent Comment

Caitlin Chock | Posted: 5 November 2009

I agree that there should be something done to deter the mass solicitation that many companies abuse when sending mail out. It's no different than spam cluttering your inbox, except at least with spam there aren't massive amounts of trees being killed in the process!

Phillip Pool | Posted: 4 November 2009

Thanks for this article, I never really thought about just how much my junk mail can contribute to a unsustainable mail system, or at least a non environmentally friendly one. I'll tell my friends

zee rants | Posted: 4 November 2009

DON'T SIGN UP FOR PAPERLESS BANKING. It took me months to switch back to regular mailed statements after the bank mergers of 2008. I had no statements for 4 months and major banking errors that I needed to deal with. Get rid of everything on paper except your financial statements. Do not trust the banks to keep track of your money.

Erin Scott | Posted: 4 November 2009

Junk mail is a serious problem so thank you for this article/editorial. It is so pervasive and so totally unsolicited while representing dire devastation for trees and the planet that I would even say it's criminal. We should only receive that which we ask for. When will, or how can, junk mail become illegal?