The Spokesman-Review -- Mail cull: Debating a proposal for limiting unsolicited direct mail
Pro: Reducing unwanted mail would save money, cut pollution and help businesses,
April 17th, 2010
The Do Not Mail resolution before the Spokane County commissioners, and soon to be before the Spokane City Council, makes good sense whether you’re concerned about the environment or just tired of “junk mail.” And when you think through the few objections to it, it makes even better sense.
More than 100 billion pieces of junk mail are delivered each year in the United States – an average of 848 pieces per household. The production, distribution and disposal creates 51 million metric tons of greenhouse gases – equal to the emissions of almost 10 million cars and more than the combined emissions of seven U.S. states. Climate change or no, that’s a lot of pollution.
Garbage disposal takes place at sites that taxpayers build and maintain, using equipment and facilities that are replaced at public expense as they wear out. At least 34 percent of Americans (about 100 million people) don’t have access to curbside recycling and much of the direct mail that becomes refuse isn’t shredded – or even opened – creating privacy issues and the potential for identity theft.