Today, I attempted to reduce the amount of trash I produce by eliminating myself from mailing lists that send me junk mail. The first steps in this process were easy because several websites exist that helped me get started for free:
www.catalogchoice.org Here I was able to contact several specific companies, such Victoria's Secret and Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and request to be taken off of their mailing lists with approximately 2 clicks of my mouse. This website is also cool because it estimates I've saved 211lbs of solid waste, 32 gallons of water, 88lbs of greenhouse gas, and 1 tree by opting out of the mailings of 6 companies. It only took 15 minutes to save that tree! :)
www.newdream.org/junkmail/form.php This website generates letters to send junkmail's heavy hitters (i.e. banks and credit card companies) requesting to be removed from their mailing lists.
Removing myself was easy, though it took the time and motivation necessary to send a few letters. However, It's not an overnight fix as most places will take 6-8 weeks to process my request. I'll let you know if I notice a change in the next few months. Most likely, I'll have to contact a few more companies individually in the next few weeks and months.
STILL, I think that it's worthwhile to try because ALL circulars, catalogs, and other mail I receive but did not request goes straight to my trashcan and, in turn, straight to a landfill.
This website can tell you more about why it's important to reduce the amount of junkmail sent and received in the United States: www.newdream.org/junkmail/facts.php I'm a sucker for bulleted statistics.
