I practically broke a sweat when I read Seth Godin's "Profligate" post about the waste in packaging materials he received with a mail-order watch. I get physically distressed every time I open the bills and pile up all the pamphlets and other promotional literature that is delivered with the monthly invoices. On a rampage one year, I sent back all the wasted paper to the president of the various utlilites, my mortgage company, etc. asking them to please stop. I am sure it had no impact whatsoever, but I felt better. I make mental notes of who is trying to market to me in this way, and I try my best not to purchase their product or use their services. The annoying advertising inserts in my weekly issue of Time Magazine are torn out and purposefully not even glanced at before they hit the recycling bucket.
Most of my bills are now delivered to me via email statements. Score one for the planet. Marketers need to learn this waste bothers many of us very much. Here's a link to Seth's post. It'll resonate, I bet.
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