[jarden76]

I just learned about USJunkMail.com. This is a very low-cost service in which you can limit the POSTAL junk mail you receive. By signing up, you can get rid of unsolicited catalogs, flyers, credit card offers, advertisements, sales promotions, etc. Think of how much paper this would save if just one family stops receiving all that junk mail. When I moved into an administrator's position at my school, I was apalled at how much junk we receive in the mail. Sometimes I receive 15-20 useless (for me) catalogs in one day! Check it out at Welcome to USJunkmail.com!

[Deerwoman]

Yes, I really hate junk mail. Thanks for the link. I have another one to share, and all the suggestions in the article are free: visit Remove Yourself from Junk Mail Lists I never knew there were so many ways to help reduce and eliminate junk mail. And it works: I registered with and/or contacted several of the suggested sites and my junk mail has significantly gone down already. Good luck everyone!

[cats3]

Yes, thanks for the tip Deerwoman!
Also, I am on lists for removal of junk mail. I also write to the companies I do prefer to do business to (or e-mail, or call) and request less frequent catalogs or receive them online. Also, I try to re-use the junk mail paper by cutting it and making into grocery lists or mulch.

[cats3]

It's very important to purchase items made from recycled items (secondarily to reducing waste in the first place).

I encourage people to purchase Fair Trade items for gifts this season.
Many of the ones I've seen are very creative uses of recycled or recyclable materials...

Also, how about more alternative gift fairs? One purchases a goat for a third world community or a refurbished computer or some Fair Trade Coffee/Tea/Cocoa/bananas...

Also, how about a gift of assistance (an elderly person, a battered woman's shelter, an environmental organization...) or time?

Personally, for kids, I like the idea of activities for gifts rather than things.
Outings, for example.

For teens, the idea of less material goods is crucial. One doesn't need the latest gadget or dress.

I'd like to see teenage designers of "cool" or "hot" stuff made from recycled materials.