Reduce Your Carbon Footprint by Eliminating Junk Mail

Nowadays, everyone wants to do their part to reduce their carbon footprint. You may think that recycling all that junk mail is a great way to lower your own carbon footprint, but in reality it would be much better if you eliminated the mail altogether. Actively reducing the amount of junk mail that comes to your house can be a tedious task since many companies make it difficult to opt-on. Spending the time needed to reduce your carbon footprint may seem like a waste of time, but in the end it can really help.

One way to eliminate the amount of junk mail that you receive is to switch to paperless billing. Most banks support the idea of reducing the carbon footprint and would happily switch your statements to paperless. Many credit card companies will also send you bills via email in lieu of sending out the paper variety. Paying your bills without paper is another great way to reduce our carbon footprint since the need for envelopes and paper checks is eliminated. Believe it or not, electronic billing is also a lot safer than paper billing. Most people believe the opposite is true, however most studies prove that identity theft typically occurs when someone steals your junk mail. By paying your bills online you also help the post office reduce their carbon footprint.

Call or email catalog companies to remove yourself from their mailing lists. Everything you see in the catalog can be found on the company's website and the amount of catalogs that comprise your junk mail will significantly be decreased. There really is no need to continue to get catalogs, since most of the time you don't buy anything anyway. They sit around your house in piles causing clutter before being shipped out for recycling. If you are tempted by catalog shopping, eliminating from your home may even save you some money. Be sure to let the companies know you want to be removed from all aspects of their marketing.

Sign up for www.greendimes.com. Greendimes is a company that will help you organize your plan to reduce your carbon footprint by tracking your removal requests. They offer a free service for organizing and also provide an additional plan that costs money for those who want to make their carbon footprint reduction plan easier. They also provide you with helpful emails and other links to make requesting the end of your junk mail a lot easier. You can look up any catalog and Greendimes provides you with detailed information on how to request a removal from the company. They even provide access to junk mailings such as those from charities.

Write to the major marketing corporations to remove yourself from local coupon mailings and flyers. Most of us receive packets in the mail full of useless advertising for new windows, carpet cleaners and other nonsense that we rarely, if ever, use. Removing yourself from this type of junk mail is a lot harder since you must request the removal in writing, but if you take the time to do it you will further your plan to reduce your carbon footprint. Greendimes has this information on their website as well.