Editor’s Note: Every week seems to bring news of the worsening climate crisis and the urgency of needed action, but it can be hard for an individual to know where to start. This year we will feature specific actions you can take authored by UCSB lecturer in environmental studies, Deborah Williams.
Every year about 100 million trees are cut down for junk mail and 28 billion gallons of water are consumed in support of its production. The average American adult receives an astounding amount of junk mail annually — about 41 pounds of it. How much do you receive?
Every tree that is cut down for junk mail is a tree that could have been left standing to absorb carbon dioxide, provide habitat, and support other important ecosystem services. Junk mail is also annoying, so it’s a win/win/win. And it’s easy.
Here are some quick ways to stop getting junk mail and unwanted paper waste.
~ Catalogues: Register with Catalog Choice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving trees and water — while reducing greenhouse gas and solid waste — through eliminating unwanted catalogues. Once you are signed-up (no charge), every time you receive an unwanted catalogue, it’s easy to go on the site and cancel it. www.catalogchoice.org
~ Member catalogues/magazines: For some member organizations — like Costco – you will need to go into your member account and change your preferences so that you do not receive their magazine or other information by mail. For Costco, click My Account, then select Preferences.
~ Credit and insurance card solicitations: As recommended by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, you can opt out of prescreened offers of credit and insurance for five years by calling 1-8880-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) or visiting www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t.
You do not need to provide your Social Security number and can complete this entirely online. It takes about a minute to do. To permanently opt out, you will also need to mail in a form found at www.optoutprescreen.com/form
~ Other (magazines, mail offers, new catalogues): Sign up with DMAChoice (the largest U.S. data and marketing association) and for a $2 fee you can opt out of unwanted magazine offers, other mail offers and new catalogues for a period of ten years. Click here to remove your address from receiving Valpak blue envelopes: www.valpak.com/coupons/show/mailinglistsuppression
~ Go paperless: For utility bills, bank statements, and other official mail, whenever possible, choose to go paperless. If there isn’t a paperless option, ask for one.
~ Share this information with others.
~Additional thoughts: When you stop junk mail, you will save approximately 20 trees and 7,000 gallons of water.
According to a study funded by NASA, the creation of pulpwood generates the highest carbon release of all wood products. In its 2018 annual report, the USPS reported distributing over 77 billion pieces of junk mail (AKA standard presorted).
Let’s put a dent in that.