Are you tired of all the trees being cut to print tons of junk mail?

1. 59

   Stump Parrishposted 13 years ago

   I select paperless billing when ever it is offered. I bank on line and pay my bills that way to reduce paper useage. Every week I am bombarded with junk mail and offers for credit cards I don't want or need. While sitting around mad at the injustice of this, I remembered a novel way to send a message to those who destroy the planet to send out bales of special offers I obviously can't live with out.
   
   Most every piece of unsolicited mail that enters my house comes with a handy dandy postage free return envelope for my convience. I simply place their offer in this free return envelope and mail it back to em. One person alone doesn't seem to be able to make a difference. I would love to be a fly on the way on about the tenth day in a row that they get back 20,000 pieces of mail they had to pay to get back.
   
   So will anyone join me in my efforts to send a message and force them to pay for it?
   
   As I said before, I am actually carrying on a tradition my father started about 3 years ago. I do believe the reduction in stress coupled with the sheer joy of poking the credit card companies in the eye, has lowered his blood pressure. Do your heart some good and the planet at the same time. I would love to see 100,000 pieces of junk mail a day being returned.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Don't forget to spread the word to your friends and family.
      
      We might even be able to get these companies to bail out the U.S. Postal Service with the increase in postage they will gain returning all this crap. Too bad we wont be able to return the trees cut down to send them out in the first place.

      replyreport
   2. 62

      Evan G Rogersposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      most trees that are turned into paper either comes from recycled sources, or from private forests that are maintained properly so they won't deplete.

      replyreport
      1. 60

         John Holdenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Funny that, the Forestry Commission was set up by the government in the UK because private forestry was so badly maintained that it had virtually ceased to exist.

         replyreport
      2. 60

         Doug Hughesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I'm in agreement with Evan here. I worked for a lumber company in NC. You have to recognize that trees for paper can go from nut to harvest in 6 years. Hardwood, as you would use for cabinets and floors take 30 years (give or take a little). So pine is a VERY renewable resource while hardwoods should not be harvested at a rate in excess of being replenished.

         replyreport
         1. 59

            Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            There are a lot of pine farms here in SC and i an familiar with the operations. Hemp for paper grows from seed to harvest in 7 to 8 months and produces a longer fiber than pine and results in a better quality paper. The environment problems from clear cutting forests are well known to most people. Hemp not only stabalizes the soil it will remove polutants from the soil. Bamboo is gaining acceptance in cabinet making. There are altenatives to cutting forests down and there is no viable excuse for making paper out of wood pulp. The chemicals needed for the bleaching process should not be ending up in our water supply as a cost of keeping hemp illegal. If we simply planted hemp on the acreage that our government currently pays farmers not to plant each year, we could supply all of our energy needs both automotive fuel and electric power. I mention hemp here because it is a direct link between the oil companies and the wood/paper industry. Both industries profit from the current status, and it's quo, and have no problem placing their profits above the welfare of the country that probably subsidizes them in some form or fashion. They need these profits to bribe our government for more subsidies and the right to write the laws and regulations they are supposed to follow. Hemp makes superior building materials such as plywood. Plastic made from hemp is boidegradible. I understand that there will be industries that shut down and people who need to be retrained in another field. These reasons are not good enough to avoid improving our environment and lifestyles, IMO. If a business cant stay competative in the normal world it closes it's doors. Here in America we have industries that are being protected from this normal cycle simply to protect the profits of those making them. Using this lline of reasoning we should still be able to buy asbestos shingles and building materials. Everyone wants the country to improve as long as it's the other guy who has to make the sacrifice.

            replyreport
   3. 60

      izoooomposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      A lot of paper these days are recycle from the old though. Gotta recognise that.

      replyreport
   4. 69

      tritrainposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, and those "opt-out" services don't do anything.
      
      After submitting my mailing address to them my junkmail increased.  Suspicious.

      replyreport
2. 59

   Stump Parrishposted 13 years ago

   This also reduces the amount of paper you have to recycle. All kinds of benefits and fun possible here.

   replyreport
3. 44

   Mikeydoesposted 13 years ago

   Wood/paper is the most abundant resource on the planet, so that really isn't a top issue of mine. However I get where you are coming from. Recycling is important, but things like metals and plastics need to be recycled 100%, as to where I would push paper to the back burner, but wasting paper is never good.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I would be happy if they would simply start making paper out of hemp like it's supposed to be. The additional problems associated with clear cutting forests to supply the need and the multitude of chemicals that enter the water systemfrom the current pulp wood based paper is more of a problem that running out of wood will ever be.

      replyreport
      1. 60

         John Holdenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I'm far more concerned by slash and burn forestry clearance for beef production than I am by the use of managed woodland for paper production.

         replyreport
         1. 59

            Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I understand and this is by no means is this an end all solution to anything. Probably wont make a difference in the long run unless enough people sign on. The pleasure I get thinking about the mail room worker opening a bunch of the same mail they shipped out last week, always brings a smile and brightens my day. Now if you will excuse me, I have a venision meat loaf about to come out of the oven. Bambi was shot in the trees and this is another good reason to keep 'em around.

            replyreport
4. 74

   Eaglekiwiposted 13 years ago

   Yes and its not just junk mail,its all companies that send out invoices ,then another saying the invoice has been cleared.
   
   For example ,last month I saw a Doctor ,one invoice, 2nd invoice, 3rd notifying me of zero balance.
   
   Doctor (same visit) sent me for bloodwork...
   
   One,two,three invoices followed again.
   
   Doc also referred me for an Xray
   
   More invoices!!
   
   So one Doctors visit = 9 separate invoices.
   
   (Actually ,there were 4 more ,because I was late paying for the Xray)...
   
   Just plain stupid! all coming from the same hospital.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I still fight with my cable company. Every 3 to 4 months, Charter forgets that I handle everything online and will start sending bills and offers. Even the people who provide my email service wont use it consistantly. Gotta ship out the same lock in my savings for 2 years offer I get online every 3 or 4 months.

      replyreport
5. 57

   C.J. Wrightposted 13 years ago

   first, paper production is based on a renewable resource. Pulp wood. It's "farmed" for that purpose. It's no different than a field of beans, wheat or corn.
   
   However, I agree with you with the "Junk Mail" its unbelievably wastefull. Mailing it back may just get their attention. Much of paper used for marketing and advertising is so full of ink and other chemicals it's not easily recyclable anyway. In fact, in some cases the recycling process is more toxic than the production process.

   replyreport
6. 82

   manlypoetrymanposted 13 years ago

   I like your idea. I can't stand the amount of junk mail that i get...that i promptly send to the recycle bin...that gets shipped to china...for them to turn into pulp products and devise some cheap product to make...and ship it back for us to buy at Wal-mart!

   replyreport
7. 72

   chirlsposted 13 years ago

   I know what you mean. I moved to tht US a couple of years ago and I get a TON of junk mail, random catalogues I never asked for, and loads of stupid address stickers and useless crap from charities. I joined Sierra Club a few years back and was appalled at the resulting inundation of junk mail.
   In the UK I was able to sign up to a service that stopped you getting most junk mail. I love your idea but I also wonder if there is such a service in the US. I might even pay for such a service, that's how much I hate junk mail!
   
   Cheryl

   replyreport
   1. 59

      Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      LMAO, why does that not suprise me. The Sierra Club, lol. Make them pay to get it back. I'm not sure but I believe prepaid return envelopes are charged when used. I could be wrong and it's a flat rate, Anyone know for sure?

      replyreport
8. 66

   Ralph Deedsposted 13 years ago

   We went a way for two weeks and had our mail held at the Post Office. When I picked it up the other day there was so much junk mail that I could hardly carry it. (Quite a few magazines, also, I confess. Some of which I haven't renewed, but they keep coming.)

   replyreport
   1. 59

      Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I dont know why we dont charge people extra for a printed edition of anything. The world is going digital and there is no reason not to keep pace. Change happens, it's about the only thing you can count on. We are loosing a football field of forest every second of every hour on this planet. Why, partly so men have something to do before the wipe theiur reasend with another tree.

      replyreport
9. 61

   Santi Lioposted 13 years ago

   Totally sick of it. When I sign up for electronic filing I still get paper mail. So wasteful.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Start sending it back to them. It is a good way to slow down the number of credit card offers you get, They have almost stopped here.
      
      Every time I get paper mail from my cable company I call and threaten to leave and go wireless. Most times they offer something for my trouble.
      
      It stops the paper for a couple of months and they cant resist going to the trouble of  reminding me it's time to call and get my free gift again.

      replyreport
10. 60

    SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years ago

    ...hmmmmm....wonder 'bout how much toilet paper there is vs junk mail.....
    
    ..i've seen how the forest industry works in Canada...was going to do a hub on it....you have to see it, but, as well understand how it all works...i've lots of photos...i'll write about it one day from my perspective...
    
    The US has done a great job of protecting forests in the US - some old growth too - lots of parks...I think Roosevelt started it all... (the US is cuttin' down Canada instead )

    replyreport
    1. 59

       Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       People in this country convienently forget that there is a world out side of our borders. Gets a little old for the world I'm sure. An acre of forest disappears every second of every day that doesn't have to.  I know that there are alot of people who work in this industry and that this is a large issue. This country has neverheld itself back for the benifit of the few until recently. Progress is not something to be considered until we have run the old technology into the ground. If it is cheaper and more profitable to do things the way we have for 100 years, the fact the we are destroying the planet is no reason to rock the yachts of those making billions.

       replyreport
       1. 60

          SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Canada is getting better....the forest industry is working much better, etc. in terms of regulation - there's further work to do of course......and the aboriginal folks are asking the forest companies for some of their land back!  and in some cases a share in the profit...and it's all starting to come together....the aboriginal folks vs the canadian forest co's and us forest co's and of course canadian gov't....it's all pretty complicated...most folks don't give a sh**, but I pay attention to it....(I'm referring to western canada)
          
          Canada has been creating more national parks too - it's about time.........Roosevelt had some insight obviously.....

          replyreport
          1. 59

             Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Canada has been making some intelligent choices lately. I think you might be nicely positioned when the fire sale of America starts. I'm afraid to visit British Columbia, I would never want to leave, from what I've heard

             replyreport
             1. 63

                Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                After the earthquake, BC will no longer be part of Canada

                replyreport
                1. 60

                   SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   ....no...BC will be Canada!....

                   replyreport
                   1. 60

                      SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      ...isn't that coincidentally,,,thousands of folks in bc did an earthquake drill at the same time throughout the province today........did you silly folks in Ont. think it was real?

                      replyreport
11. 63

    Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

    i hate trees and everything they stand for...
    
    all except for the might Maple tree, of course.

    replyreport
    1. 59

       Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I like pancakes to, greek.

       replyreport
    2. 60

       SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       ....i just knew it!.....

       replyreport
12. 86

    DzyMsLizzyposted 13 years ago

    I used to do just that...but I also tore up their stupid form before sending it back...so then, instead of just paying the postage, they'd have to clean up a confetti mess as well!  **snork!!**
    
    HOWever...I think many have gotten wise, and I've seen more and more that require postage..they're no longer "postage paid" reply envelopes.
    
    The other thing I did was the same thing..mail back blank advertising and subscription solicitations that used to fall out of magazine pages by the dozens.
    
    In retrospect, however, that was probably counter-productive, as that mailed-back stuff most likely ended up in a landfill.
    
    Now, I just toss it, unread, into the recycle bin.
    
    What's far worse, is the political mailings!!

    replyreport
13. 63

    Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

    thousands did the old duck and cover routine today?
    
    Kinda like the Canucks in the playoffs?

    replyreport
    1. 59

       Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       My bad I thought you were talking about syrup, cant help it, I'm hungry

       replyreport
       1. 60

          SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          ...ha ha ha....when GO talks about Leafs or Maple Trees  or the colour Blue or sumethin' about the year '67....it only means one thing SP....i'm like you I used to think of syrup too until i ran into GO....

          replyreport
    2. 60

       SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       ...sort of....."drop, cover and hold"....the Great BC Shakeout we called it...
       
       ....we're gettin' ready....ahhhhhhhhh...no thanks!

       replyreport
14. 50

    Perseus456posted 13 years ago

    Hello Everyone,
    It's really a global concern, tropical forests are vanishing, we used up more not we could replenish.I see solutions to this, ban cutting of trees.Plant more trees, let's find alternative sources of raw materials for our stuff...

    replyreport
    1. 59

       Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Hemp, Hemp, Hemp, I repeat Hemp. we have the alternative souces available. It seems that our lawmakers are listening to those who are currently profiting from the status retaining it's quo. Personally I think the quo lost it's staus a long time ago.

       replyreport
       1. 86

          DzyMsLizzyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          AMEN!

          replyreport
    2. 69

       wyanjenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Paper mills use certified sustainable forests to make paper. For each tree that is cut, a minimum of 3 seedlings are planted. The forests are strictly maintained to prevent wildfires.
       They not only improve local ecologies, they act as carbon sinks and give homes to countless critters.
       All of these things are solutions to many of your global concerns.
       
       

       replyreport
       1. 59

          jaybob217posted 13 years agoin reply to this

          This reminds me that I need to start recycling junk mail.

          replyreport
       2. 59

          Stump Parrishposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          The extra chemicals required to turn pulp wood into paper are contributing to the destruction of our water systems. That the use of these  chemicals and pulp wood result in an inferior product is not even considered. Profits are just fine where they are and supplying customers with the best product available is no longer the American way. Hemp could be planted on the acerage that we currently pay farmers not to plant and it would supply the majority of petrol and electricity for the country. Oil likes the strangle hold they have on us and this wont be allowed to happen. The corporations who now control the market place and our government aren't going to allow anything as insignifcant as the future of our country to stand in the way of their record profits, are they?

          replyreport
       3. 66

          Ralph Deedsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Aside from the effects of paper mills, considerable energy is required to ship and dispose of junk mail and junk ads in Sunday newspapers. We recycle paper and plastics in separate containers. We have so much paper that one person can hardly carry the container out to the street.

          replyreport
          1. 69

             wyanjenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             But, banning paper won't fix that. I doubt hemp mail would be much less cumbersome.
             
             I don't have curbside recycling - I have to drive it over. I don't get nearly as much junk mail as you do, tho. I fill up the recycle box every few weeks.
             Plastic, on the other hand...

             replyreport
             1. 66

                Ralph Deedsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                I'm not in favor of "banning paper." My suggestion was that a better system is needed to allow mail recipients to shut off commercial junk mail from any or all sources. That would save energy and paper.

                replyreport
                1. 69

                   wyanjenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   I like the opt-out idea too.
                   Sorry, I thought you were in defense of the post I was replying to.
                   
                   Of course Im biased on the issue - I make my living in the printing industry.

                   replyreport
15. 60

    jokeapptvposted 13 years ago

    ya its very sad.

    replyreport
16. 66

    Ralph Deedsposted 13 years ago

    Yes, I am tired of getting so much junk mail. A foolproof method of shutting it off is needed. The don't call procedure works pretty well. Something similar is needed for US mail.

    replyreport
17. 60

    SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years ago

    ...well, luckily where i live...i can leave a note on my mail box that states i don't accept junk and it doesn't get delivered...if anytime it slips through, I put it back in the postal mail box down the street.  I don't accept the 'free' community newspapers either...they don't deliver them...they're just full of junk.  And, if the junk is addressed to me and it has to be delivered, I open it and save it up and return it all to those unsolicited ones who include postage paid envelopes.........basically i mail the junk back to them.....i've been doing the above for years....

    replyreport