Needless paper waste
Many years ago, we made a donation to an organization (not naming it here, but let’s call it H so we can reference it easier). It was a one-time donation and it was a good decision at the time. It’s still a good decision. However things change and although we might still donate to organization H if money was not an object, but that’s not the case. Our priorities changed, things that speak to our hearts have changed. We now focus our attention, time and money elsewhere that’s closer to our hearts.
Without fail, organization H continues to send us letters asking for donation at least twice a year, most of the time doubling the efforts. They even have our new and updated address! I finally called and asked to be taken off the mailing list, which is something I should have done a long while ago.
The person who took the call was polite and said it would be taken care of. I went one step further to make some suggestions (gasp!). I said it would be good if they could implement a system where it checks against donors who’s been dormant/inactive for a certain period of time, and to cut back on mailings/trees/resources by stop mailing to those individuals. She paused. And then said “Oh OK, thanks.” Her reply sounded very distant and nonchalant - after all, it’s not her trees or her resources or her money that’s being sent into space without an echo - no sireee Bob, she’s just there to do her job and no more. I wish she took me seriously and at least give the suggestion to her supervisor.
I need to take a closer look at all the mailings that we get, and stop the ones that doesn’t even get a first glance before hitting the recycling bins. If you have time, please check yours and see if you can minimize some junk mail as well.
~moe~ Said,
February 25, 2008 @ 9:20 pm
I hope she passed along your suggestion. I used to call for donations for my prior workplace (when I was a student there). I hated calling the folks who had been dormant for years (and we had a feature to track these). It just seemed rude to keep asking them for money when they hadn’t given in so long. My bosses theory was, maybe they just weren’t able to at one point and had lapsed but could give now. ugh. Good luck with your junk mail. I’m working on mine too.
~moe~’s last blog post..Huh
Joyce Said,
February 26, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
Hi,
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
I like your suggestion. That’s a practical way to save resources, for sure.
Another problem is receiving duplicate catalogs. I have tried calling and even writing to stop the duplicate mailings, but in one case it hasn’t worked. I would rather just look at the online catalogs anyhow.
Joyce’s last blog post..If I Were a Shoe . . .
LA Blogger Gal Said,
February 26, 2008 @ 6:18 pm
I totally get what you’re saying. We’ve actually donated to various organizations only to have them immediately send out additional requests for funds within a month or so. So frustrating. My husband recently went off on the local police group for wasting SO much money with all their mailings and phone contacts/harassment. He told them that while he loves being able to support the local police and their families, he’s not comfortable with how much of his money must be going towards other costs. Pretty much told them to never call again.
That said, there’s just something about catalogs. I love looking through them and just can’t bring myself to cancel them. It’s not nearly as much shopping (or dreaming) online as it is with the catalogs.
LA Blogger Gal’s last blog post..Huh?
Jenni Said,
February 26, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
I’ve switched all my bills to online billing, I get no papers and only 1 magazine and yet my desk trashcan fills up 2-3 times a week from junk mail!
Grrrr. I recently unsubscribed on the credit bureaus website from the mailing lists. Maybe that will help cut down on the extra.
Jenni’s last blog post..What The Owl Says
Kat Said,
February 27, 2008 @ 12:43 am
http://www.catalogchoice.org
“Catalog Choice is a free service that lets you decline catalogs you no longer wish to receive. Reduce the amount of unsolicited mail in your mailbox while helping to preserve the environment.”
Kat’s last blog post..Dear Kim,
Christine Said,
February 27, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
I have tried to get off various organizations mailing lists and phoning lists. It is futile. I gave up. If you find a way that works I would love to know. I am going to try the catalog Choice service. One time and one time only I ordered an item from an online catalog. I think they sold my address. I am now drowning in catalogs that I do not want.
Christine’s last blog post..A Day At The WDM
Mom’s Musings » Blog Archive » Do you want to save some trees? Said,
February 27, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
[...] found out about this program from my online friend, Jennic’s blog post on Needless Paper Waste. (One of her commenter’s actually suggested this [...]