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It drives me absolutely crazy. Every week I throw away about 10 pounds or more of unwanted, unsolicited mail. Catalogs from companies that I never ordered from. Offers of credit cards, insurance, refinancing and the like. Real estate ads and solicitations. Non-profits sending me nickels and address labels because a study 30 years ago concluded that people are more likely to donate if you "give" them something first. And all of it with full color ink and high grade paper that likely harms the environment when it goes straight from my mailbox to the garbage can to the landfill.
I know that the rate of return on these unsolicited offers is less than two percent. Research also shows that almost half of all junk mail is never even opened at all by the recipient.
What's more is that these piles of unsolicited garbage that are useful to less than two percent of the recipients is actually encouraged by the postal system. They receive very favorable postage rates. Some have concluded that these piles of unsolicited garbage actually keep the USPS alive and getting rid of it would throw the postal service into a financial abyss. As of 2008, more than 19 states had tried to enact "Do Not Mail" lists that would function like the successful "Do Not Call" lists - but each effort was defeated, largely by the work of the postal workers union and small business interests that believe that those customers that are generated by the mailings (even at a two percent return) are critical.
http://www.newsweek.com/junk-mail-keeps-post-office-alive-89323
As I was typing this post, I learned about an organization called Greendimes, who is fighting junk mail based on the environmental impact. Their website says that:
What is Green Dimes? | Junk MailJunk Mail
There is some minimal relief available if you, like me, hate junk mail on so many levels. The FTC and the credit bureaus off an "opt out" procedure whereby you can register and remove yourself from receiving unsolicited offers of credit and insurance (this includes new credit card offers and home refinance offers). https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t
But that won't get you out of the piles of catalogs, non-profit/charity solicitations, home repair "publications" and all that other crap.
Does it drive you as crazy as it does me? I hate going to the mailbox because of it. I hate sitting there and tearing up the credit offers that I never open. I hate feeling the true weight of catalogs and pointless unsolicited mail in my garbage can every week as I roll it out to go to the damn landfill.
I know that the rate of return on these unsolicited offers is less than two percent. Research also shows that almost half of all junk mail is never even opened at all by the recipient.
What's more is that these piles of unsolicited garbage that are useful to less than two percent of the recipients is actually encouraged by the postal system. They receive very favorable postage rates. Some have concluded that these piles of unsolicited garbage actually keep the USPS alive and getting rid of it would throw the postal service into a financial abyss. As of 2008, more than 19 states had tried to enact "Do Not Mail" lists that would function like the successful "Do Not Call" lists - but each effort was defeated, largely by the work of the postal workers union and small business interests that believe that those customers that are generated by the mailings (even at a two percent return) are critical.
http://www.newsweek.com/junk-mail-keeps-post-office-alive-89323
As I was typing this post, I learned about an organization called Greendimes, who is fighting junk mail based on the environmental impact. Their website says that:
What is Green Dimes? | Junk MailJunk Mail
There is some minimal relief available if you, like me, hate junk mail on so many levels. The FTC and the credit bureaus off an "opt out" procedure whereby you can register and remove yourself from receiving unsolicited offers of credit and insurance (this includes new credit card offers and home refinance offers). https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t
But that won't get you out of the piles of catalogs, non-profit/charity solicitations, home repair "publications" and all that other crap.
Does it drive you as crazy as it does me? I hate going to the mailbox because of it. I hate sitting there and tearing up the credit offers that I never open. I hate feeling the true weight of catalogs and pointless unsolicited mail in my garbage can every week as I roll it out to go to the damn landfill.
