We all know junk mail is a cancer, a festering wound on our mailboxes. Personally, most if my junk mail goes right from my box to the recycling bin, which is sad.
I recently signed up Pro Quo to eliminate junk mail, but it takes awhile to kick in and doesn’t promise complete elimination. While I wait for the flow to slow down, I’m still getting letters, postcards and leaflets filled with special offers and coupons by the pile.
I was ready to toss a coupon book in the bin when I noticed an ad for a local business, some restaurant that my wife and I were thinking about trying, so I tore the page and the rest went into recycling, but as I thought about it more, I got into one of my lesser of two evils quandries. This happens whenever I run across a situation with two possible scenarios, both have pros and cons, and because of my lack of knowledge on the subject, it’s hard to rationalize the best choice.
So I’m standing there with this coupon in my hand and I begin to wonder if I should be patronizing a business that contributes to the junk mail waste. If people don’t bring in the coupons, they’ll realize the junk mail ad isn’t worth the investment.
On the other hand, should I just let the ad go to waste by tossing it directly into the recycle bin? Am I being purposely wasteful, contributing to the problem by creating more recycling that needs to be picked up and delivered to a treatment plant? On top of that, should I consider the idea that the business is advertising because they need more business from local residents and if I ignore the ad I’m not acting locally?
If I go with my gut, I’d say that not using the coupons and not patronizing the businesses in the book is the better option, but I’m not 100% sure. If anyone want to lend some input, by all means, please contribute. Somebody needs to school this neophyte.
Photo by Burtonwood + Holmes
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Tara Burner 09.05.08 at 9:07 am
Me being me, I’d actually call the establishment, ask their policy on recycling, other green methods, whether they buy their food to prepare locally, etc…get a feel for how green they are…THEN make my determination. But that’s me and would probably explain why we don’t eat out often in my household! LOL
Dave Conrey 09.05.08 at 10:20 am
That’s actually a really good tip. I wouldn’t have thought about it, but I’ll keep that in mind.
Tara Burner 09.05.08 at 10:25 am
yea, well I drive my kids nuts when I do that but whatever