Green Alternatives – Eliminate Junk Mail and other Waste Reduction Ideas
Junkmail
Choose the mail you want, stop the junk you don't.
Junk mail is advertising of one sort or another that arrives in your postal mailbox along with the mail you really want or need. It's impossible to eliminate all of it, but you can substantially reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by completing a few simple tasks.
How did they get your name to begin with?
When you purchase a product or service and give the company your name and address, the chances are you are being added to one or more mailing lists used for direct marketing. When you purchase something, or input your information for a survey, or drawing, etc. your name, address, and other contact information, as well as the type of product or service, is entered into a computer data base which they may share with other companies use to solicit new products and services to you.
There are a variety of strategies you can use to get off these direct marketing lists.To stop or reduce the frequency of Junk mail, do the following:
- Look for the postcard that accompanies the flyers. It will have your address printed on it. Some postcards contain pictures of missing children. If you cannot find a postcard, then look for a mailing label attached directly to the flyer. You may see the name of the distribution company near your mailing address.
If you don't find a label, you may find a phone number printed on the edge of the flyer itself.
-
If you know the company, contact them directly, and request that your address be taken off the mailing list. If you're making a written request, send a copy of your mailing label along with the letter. If you call, chances are you'll have to work through a telephone tree and leave your name and address on an answering machine. It usually takes at least four to eight weeks to be removed. In some cases, the companies have a website that will allow you to remove yourself from their lists.
- If you don't know the company, contact the Direct Marketing Companies to have your name taken of sellable distribution lists and do the same as above.
- Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
more waste reduction ideas
coming soon!