Think 'green' in junking junk mail

I work for a lighting manufacturer. As you might expect we are reviewing our entire business cycle to be sure that our products and services are environmentally friendly. We are looking at every aspect of our business processes to see where we can turn "green. That got me thinking more about "green" opportunities at home.

Each week I take out my garbage recycle bin realizing that almost half of what I recycle is bulk or "junk" mail delivered daily to my home. I never open junk mail nor peruse the multitude of coupon ads. I think the government should create a "Do Not Mail" list similar to the one used for telephone solicitors. If I sign up on the list, then the post office should not be able to deliver bulk rate or "junk" mail including catalogs and coupon fliers. Companies would have to maintain "Do Not Mail" lists in their customer database to accommodate the wishes of those customers who do not wish to receive general paper solicitation in the mail.

I think there are a substantial number of households that would sign up for this list, saving millions of dollars and reducing millions of pounds of garbage in garbage dumps and recycle centers. (How much of this material is sent to the general garbage dumps because some people do not recycle?).

If we're serious about conservation and the environment then this is a program that could allow us to take a giant leap toward changing the ecological footprint of our nation. I encourage everyone who thinks this is a good idea to write your congressman or congresswoman and express your support for this program.

Steven Stell

Roselle