Stop the junkmail and save 41 pounds of trash per year

Sunday solutions: De-junk-mail-ing
Posted by Siel in environment, solutions (January 13, 2007 at 2:54 pm)

A weekly series, in which I tackle a Q from a reader looking for green advice.

Question: Have you been to Green Dimes yet? Not sure what to make of those guys… Any insights?

- Robert

Answer: Ah — You’re trying to stop the incessant flow of junk mail! Yay!

Green Dimes is the latest company offering a de-junking service. For a dime a day — or about $3 a month — you can employ Green Dimes’ services to get you off junk mailing lists — and stay off. In addition, Green Dimes’ll plant a tree every month you subscribe to its services, which is kinda cool.

That said, Green Dimes isn’t the only company offering this kind of service. 41pounds.org also offers a de-junking service, with a very different model. Named after the stat that the average American receives 41 lbs of junk mail a year, 41pounds.org charges you a one-time $41, which will take you off junk mail lists for 5 years. 41pounds.org also donates over half its profits to support education, conservation and reforestation efforts.

I can’t give you any idea as to the effectiveness of either service, because I haven’t employed them. Cuz I’m all for reducing junk mail, but I’m more into the DIY method.

Yes, it’s true — you can do for free what these services do for you if you pay them. Of course, it’ll prolly take more time, on your part. But I can testify to the effectiveness of this DIY method, which I’ve outlined here.


More:
http://greenlagirl.com/2007/01/13/sunday-solutions-de-junk-mail-ing/

Cut up mail order catelogs carefully so they fit well into those postage-paid credit card offers, & stuff the envelopes until they bulge. It's almost as much fun as making poo flags.

on edit to add: Your idea is a better alternative.

What the heck is that? Or do I not want to know...

I'm guessing the "poo flags" reference is to the little tiny flags with George Bush's face on them that can be found sticking out of piles of dog poop.

Someone started doing this over in Europe or Great Britain, and the idea has caught on. I'd do it myself except the only dog poop I tend to see is in my own backyard, so I'd be preaching to the choir.

See journal entry for details.

Some fine examples of Urban Hazard work came be found at the http://madeyouthink.org/browse.php">madeyouthink web site.

That would solve the problem in an instant. There are a couple of catalogs I like, like my recipe mailings. I should be able to get those without Safeway and Kraft selling my name to who knows how many other junk mailers.