by Shawnee Baldwin
Dear Junk Mailer,
I have been collecting the mail you have sent me this year asking for a donation. To date, I have received 8 requests. That is a lot of paper. While I am very interested in the environment (and keeping the Post Office in business), I don’t have unlimited resources and must pick and choose who and how much to give. If your ask aligns with the marketing, you at least make it to the top of the “give” pile.
But if there are items in your marketing that make me question your concern for the environment, I rarely give it a second look. I urge you to align your fundraising practices with your mission. Please consider the end use and impact on an already overloaded landfill.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Are there plastic windows in the envelopes you use?
- Are there multiple envelopes?
- Are there excessive requests? I usually save one and maybe give when I can. The rest get thrown away (recycled – but at that point the tree is already dead.)
- Do I really need more stickers and address labels? While they are fun, I won’t use that many address labels in my life time. And when I do, the backing is not recyclable.
- When was the last time you culled your mailing list? I get mail for grown and gone children, temporary guests, and a mother who died 8 years ago.
- Are you sending gifts I don’t need that add more waste to the landfill? If I want something you offer as an incentive, I will give a donation and request that item.
- Calendars – beautiful pictures but I already have multiple “free” calendars.
- Plastic luggage tags, plastic business-size pocket calendars or tip charts (are you really concerned about the environment?)
- Note cards – my collection is out of control. I hate to throw them away but there are too many. And do those cards have glitter on them? It renders them not eligible for the recycle bin.
- Do the petitions you send for my signature really go to legislators? Does it matter?
- How long is the update of what you have accomplished? I don’t have time to read the whole thing (and it’s more paper). I generally already know and love your mission. One more accomplishment doesn’t make money magically appear in my wallet to send to you.
Yes, I’m aware that this response to you impacts the environment – the paper, the envelope, the energy to get it delivered and read by someone who cares. Our planet is in trouble. And small changes in our behavior can help. I hope my voice will cause you to reconsider how you ask for money in the future not just for me but for all the people who receive “junk” mail.
And yes, I am sending this back to you in your Postage Paid envelope in the hopes that you will actually open it and read it.
The TALK group seeks to promote community discussion and engagement on social issues, the environment, and civic concerns through truth and compassion in our community. If you have a related topic which you are passionate about, please send your ideas and suggestions for future articles to: prez@talk-action.org. All articles are archived on the Talk website http://talk-action.org