Here’s one of those fun, math “story” questions for you: A recent study estimates that our planet is currently losing 15 billion trees per year, with only 5 billion of them being replaced. If we have about 3 trillion trees on the earth right now, how long will it be until they’re all gone?
Here’s a hint: Currently there are about 400 trees per every person on the planet, but they’re disappearing at the rate of 1.4 trees per person per year.We’re not exactly sure what the answer to the math problem is (in fact, we don’t think we want to know). But according to Thomas Crowther, a Yale University researcher and lead author of the study, the main reason why our trees are disappearing is apparent. “Human activity came out as the strongest control on tree density across all biomes,” he said. “It really highlights how big of an impact humans are having on the Earth on a global scale.”
While various factors play a role in the eradication of our trees, this infographic from TakePart.com shows the huge impact of just one year’s worth of junk mail in America.
Click to enlarge
But Can’t I Just Recycle It?
You might think that simply recycling all your unwanted mail would be the perfect solution; after all, recycling results in a lot less paper in the landfill. However, recycling isn’t the best solution to the problem of unwanted mail. The fact is, recycling doesn’t reduce the resources necessary to create and transport the mail to your home. In addition, the collection of the mail and the recycling process itself also use a lot of resources. It is much better to simply have less junk mail in the first place. But how do you stop the tide of unwanted advertisements, offers and flyers that find their way to your mailbox?
Saying “No” to Junk Mail
It may take some effort, but you can eliminate (or at least reduce) the amount of unwanted mail you receive. A quick online search revealed these resources that you can use to just say, “No more, thanks!”
Have you already taken steps to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive? How did you do it? We’d love to hear from you! Just leave a comment below.Resources:
Takepart: One Year in American Junk Mail
LA Times: We finally know how many trees there are in the world
PDF: Mapping tree density at a global scale
Time: Here’s How Many Trees Humans Cut Down Each Year
PDF: How to Get Off Mailing Lists
Making This Home: Less Clutter = Less Junk Mail
Catalog Choice: Stop Junk Mail For Good
DMAChoice.org
OptOutPrescreen.com
Canada Post: How do I stop receiving advertising mail?
Valpak: Mailing List Removal Request
Stop Junk Mail in the UK
How can I Reduce Junk Mail in Australia?
Thank you – I’m doing all the US options available today 🙂
An excellent information provided thanks for all the information i must say great efforts made by you. thanks a lot for all the information you provided.
I love this! So many things go from the mailbox straight to the paper recycling and I am so happy to reduce!
Thanks for providing the necessary resources to reduce our junk mail!
This is awesome info, thanks!
My favorite app is Paper Karma. It is a little work but this app unsucribes you to any mailing piece you would lie. Free 30 day trials too!
Thanks for this information, Jenni!
Been trying to stop the junk mail for years….I’m going to try your web sites. Thank you!
This is so helpful! Thank you…SO glad to unsubscribe to things we don’t read that are a waste.
Can’t wait to get home to look through my junk mail and opt out of as many as possible. I asked our mail man once and he said he is required to deliver them, even if I asked him not to. So sad. In Germany a simple sticker really does the trick (the mail deliverer is actually not allowed to drop it in your mailbox if a sticker asks not to), so helpful.
Thanks for all the links to opt out!!
Bookmarking to try and reduce the junk we have to throw out.
Sometimes Junk mail is the only mail we get, I’d rather have no mail!
Several ears ago I eliminated flyer delivery to our home. We were getting about 2 pounds of paper delivered in our driveway twice a week. I put an end to it. We had bags of fliers we hadn’t even looked at. I couldn’t estimate how much paper that one move eliminated.
I just shut down the Valpak coupons delivery in less than 60 seconds. Thank you so much for posting this article with practical and easy steps to take!
Nice work, Leah! It’s those small, conscious steps that make a collective difference!
I got rid of a ton of junk mail years ago when someone tipped me off how to. It’s awesome!
Sometimes I check the mail and all I have is flyers and junk mail. It is terrible.
WOW. I just signed up for all that are for the US. I am excited to see a decrease in the junk mail.
I have signed up for the sites. I am excited to see a decrease in junk mail.
I learned about opting out of junk mail from me realtor, of all people! haha.. I have been sharing the info with everyone since!
Again a useful post in my view. Posties in uk get extra money for delivery if junk mail…. Seems a shame that this occurs. I may leave a sign outside and see whether they ignore it or not.
Thanks for sharing, Lia! Please let us know if your sign works!
Oh wow! I just got an unwanted mailer from Norwex despite being on the catalog removal services above. I’ve never ordered from Norwex before. How strange that you’re sending me content that contradicts your messaging above.
Steven, thank you for your post about receiving an unwanted mailer from us. How ironic in light of this blog! Please feel free to reach out to our Customer Care department, who will be happy to handle this issue for you.
In the U.S., please contact 1-866-450-7499. In Canada, please contact 1-877-766-7939. In Australia, the number to call for product inquiries/clarification is: 07 3204 9444.
You provide some interesting knowledge. It helps me alot.Thanks for giving this information.