The Best Ways To Get Rid Of Junk Mail | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Best Ways To Get Rid Of Junk Mail

How much junk mail do you get every year?

Natasha Vaughn
May 16, 2017
University at Albany, SUNY
109
The Best Ways To Get Rid Of Junk Mail
Daily Caring

This morning, like most days, I went out to my mailbox. Not surprisingly, I found four or five pieces of mail; most of them junk that I would probably not even need, read, or even open.

Among the wasted paper and stamps, I received an offer for a credit card I won’t apply for (probably the fifth or sixth offer from the same company this year), a menu for a local pizza place (the same menu that I already have stuck to my refrigerator), and an offer for some car dealership (that I get at least once a month). As I tossed the junk into trash, it got me thinking; how much paper are all these companies wasting every year?

As it turns out, the United Postal Service had a shocking answer. The average US adult received 41 lbs. of junk mail every year. That amounts to thousands and thousands of pieces stamped, carried, delivered and then throwaway every year in every household in America.

Obviously, I realized two things. 1) I should go get a recycling bin and 2) This amount of junk mail is ridiculous!

So I decided to look a little further. Clearly, some amount of junk mail sent and received was working some of the time. Otherwise, companies wouldn’t be investing all that time and money in sending it to us (and after all I do still order from that pizza place on a regular basis).

There is an advocacy group called 41 lbs. Their mission it to call attention to the wastefulness that becomes of junk mail and work to decrease the waste that ends up in our mailboxes every day.

Their website says that, “More than 100 million trees are destroyed each year to produce junk mail.”

My initial reaction was how this is possible?! How is this a number and an issue that until now I had never heard of?

But there is hope. There are a number of websites willing to help you stop the junk mail cycle. Especially for people like me who often receive a lot of the same junk several times a month such as:

Ecocycle for a list of helpful tips in getting off junk mailing lists

opt out screenspress (for credit card offers)

http://directmail.com to get rid of other unsolicited offers

Between trying out these sites and getting on that recycling bin, I think I can get my 41 lbs of junk mail way down over the next year.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

7 Experiences All Girls With Resting Bitch Face Have Had

The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

University of South Florida
2353
girl
Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less
rbf
Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

Dean College
1158
my heart just pooped its pants
Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less
bobs burgers
Adulting

Adulting 101: In Sickness And In Self

Everybody hurts sometimes.

Georgia State University
940
you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less
adulting
Student Life

25 Thoughts Everyone Has When Registering For Classes

May the odds be ever in your favor.

University of Nebraska Omaha
1553
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
class registration
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

University of Kentucky
1977
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
senior year

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments