Stop Your Junk Mail

Photo Source: eunicej

These days junk mail makes up a significant portion of our mail stream.  From pre-approved credit cards to catalogs full of the latest fashions, it seems many companies flood our mailbox with anything that contains their latest offers to capture our attention.  Most of this unsolicited mail goes unnoticed and is instantly disposed of once it is received.  Despite being a nuisance this shotgun marketing approach takes a toll on our environment.  Resources like paper, water and fuel are wasted as many Americans simply transfer this junk mail from their mailbox to their recycle or waste bin.

Each year 19 million catalogs are mailed to American consumers.  According to Catalog Choice, this is the environmental impact of those annual catalogs:

· Number of trees – 53 million.

· Waste water – 53 billion gallons, enough to fill 81,000 Olympic-sized pools.

· Energy used in production – 38 billion BTUs, enough to power 1.2 million homes.

Fortunately, several services on the internet today are taking steps to help rid you of this daily hassle.  To remove your name from pre-approved credit card offers visit http://www.optoutprescreen.com/.  To opt out of individual catalogs please visit http://www.catalogchoice.org/.  Another well-publicized opt out service is http://www.greendimes.com/.  This is a comprehensive service that has three different programs to help you reduce your junk mail by 90%.  If you choose to pay their one-time fee, Green Dimes will also plant 5 trees in your name.