A number of state legislators are introducing bills that would allow residents to block junk mail, and the group ForestEthics recently launched a campaign calling for a Do Not Mail Registry. This sounds appealing to most everyone with a mailbox, but is loudly opposed by direct mailers and the U.S. Postal Service. The Direct Marketing Association has kicked off a new "Mail Moves America" campaign, which argues that junk mail is crucial for keeping postal carriers, copywriters, and printers employed. Some nonprofit groups -- including environmental groups -- are also unenthusiastic about a national do-not-mail registry, since they themselves market by mail. As an alternative, big green groups including the National Wildlife Federation and NRDC have created Catalog Choice, which asks retailers to voluntarily stop sending catalogs to residents who opt out. But it's unclear how much of an effect the program is having, as the Direct Marketing Association has advised its members to ignore it and keep on sending out those catalogs.
source: The Washington Post
Comments
View as Flat
Wolverine Posted 5:18 pm
19 Mar 2008
As to so-called environmental groups, the two named here are two of the most conservative. Any group that does not oppose junk mail in order to save trees and reduce oil consumption and burning is not worthy of being called an environmental group.
Permalink
Russ Posted 11:10 pm
19 Mar 2008
As for environmental groups worried about their own mailings (which does open them up to charges of hypocrisy - I suppose they could rely more on the phone and internet), the answer seems simple. You could just have the do-not-mail registry differentiate between commercial and political mailings, as the do-not-phone registry does.
Anyway, I doubt such a mailing registry would be constitutional where it comes to political speech. I'm not even sure about commercial mailings. Print is treated more protectively than more "advanced" forms of technology.
Permalink
Boyscientist Posted 11:35 pm
19 Mar 2008
They do not have the right to call my phone as a matter for free speech and the same should apply to the printed matter in my mailbox.
Fortunately I use a P.O. Box and fortunately the local Post office supplies a wasted basket next the boxes. About 90% of the incoming is a total waste.
Permalink
khapke Posted 5:26 am
20 Mar 2008
I like grist because it does not fill my trash with paper that I cannot recycle in this town anyway!
As for the Do Not Mail registry, they would find some way around it. Just like politicians find a way around the Do Not Call registry.
Permalink
latenac Posted 6:02 am
20 Mar 2008
I do find it ironic NWF helped to create it b/c I know all of my membership to them for the year I belonged had to have been used on mailings of asking for more money, calendars, address labels, gift bags, wrapping paper, etc. After 3 months I finally asked them to cease and desist, send me e-mails and relented.
Permalink
Boyscientist Posted 11:15 am
20 Mar 2008
"Fortunately I use a P.O. Box and fortunately the local Post office supplies a wasted basket next the boxes."
It's not a waste(d) basket, it is a recycling bin with instructions as to what is acceptable. The Post Office wants the money for third class even though they know we don't want it. Some of it is in circulation less than 30 seconds.
Permalink