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Stopping junk mail

kthomas
kthomas's picture

Argh! Junk mail! I hated all the crud that used to fill my mailbox every day! I don't need another credit card, I'm happy with my car insurance, and I already get enough catalogs from companies I actually patronize. On top of it, 4 million tons of junk mail are produced yearly, 100 million trees destroyed and $320 million of local taxes are used to dispose of this unsolicited mail that’s trying to sell you stuff you don’t want. Enough!

There are abundant resources out there that can help you end this nightmare. Some, such as privacyrights.org and ecocycle.org, provide do-it-yourself tips, while others, including stopthejunkmail.com and 41pounds.org, will handle much of the task for you.

Stopthejunkmail.org charges a $20 fee for one year’s use of its Internet-based software that guides you through the process of contacting direct mailers, as well as generates letters requesting list removal. In addition, it provides a personal account page so you can view the status of your requests.

41pounds.org, an organization that -- for a one-time fee of $41 -- contacts 20 to 30 direct mailers on your behalf to stop 80 to 95 percent of the bulk mail that comes to your home every day. They will also send you a kit to help you get rid of the other 5 to 15 percent. In addition, 41pounds.org donates over 50 percent of its profits to support environmental organizations, schools and other not for profit groups. (And you can register your local organization as a nifty fund-raiser, too. Better than cookie dough, no?) Yeah! Everyone wins!

‹ Catalog Choice opt out service GreenDimes ›

Submitted by kthomas on Fri, 06/15/2007 - 19:00.

sizzleantoo
Re: Stopping junk mail

Another great do it yourself one is http://www.stopjunkmail.org/. You'll need to send/fax the letters to the advertisers but its good for folks who don't want to pay a service.  I used this method and simply once a month for about 2-3 months sat down with my pile of junk mail and wrote letters back.  Most the junk mail stopped! Yeah.  

Another great use for the mail you do recieve - aside from recycling it - is feed it to your worms in your worm compost bin!   They'll eat the paper and break it down to lovely, fertile, worm castings that your garden will LOVE. Its very easy and inexpensive to do!


Fri, 09/28/2007 - 14:38

Anonymous
Re: Stopping junk mail

I have to say that sometimes I like to receive junk mail as quite often I'll find a few bargains in there. I wish there would be some way to convert all of the paper junk mail into non-paper web version that we could browse through and use if we truly wanted to use their service. Hmmmm, perhaps a business idea for someone?


Fri, 09/28/2007 - 14:54

Billy345
Re: Stopping junk mail

I've not yet signed up for GreenDImes but I have heard that it works - I'm doing it this weekend! I also want to support those that clearly are supporting this site and the mission of FixingThePlanet.com - I think others should lend thier support to those advertisng worthwhile products!

Billy


Fri, 06/15/2007 - 19:27