Junk Mail

I love getting things in the mail, especially orders I placed for new products, samples to try, and giveways I've won. I try to reduce the waste by going paperless on my bills by paying through the internet whenever possible. I went out of town from Monday to Friday, just five days, and came home to a huge pile of mail. Check out this picture below. On the left you'll see all of the garbage (junk mail, packaging, etc.) and on the right you'll see the items that I am actually keeping.

This picture may not be too shocking to some people, but when you consider the ecological impact of all this junk mail and packaging piling up, I think it's pretty scary!

So what to do with all this junky mail? Well, here are a few ideas:

1. Use the backs of all of those credit card applications, insurance offers, etc. as scrap paper. Just to jot down random ideas and phone numbers.

2. As long as you cut out the little plastic openings in envelopes, junk mail can be shredded and composted. You can also cut up cardboard into little pieces and place them in your compost bin. Just avoid any papers/cardboard with a glossy finish.

3. If you don't compost, place the paper in your recycling bin.

4. Repurpose cardboard boxes. Try cutting the top flaps off, and you can use them to organize drawers, important papers, magazines in the bathroom, your child's' school work, etc.

5. Try to reuse boxes and shipping envelopes (especially those pricier ones with the bubble-wrap lining). My husband just made fun of me the other day for keeping a shiny blue bubble-wrap mailer. It's kinda been sitting on my couch for a few months now...but I am waiting for the perfect gift to send to a friend in it. It's really a nice mailer!

Now, I know there's a way to limit the amount of junk mail you receive, but I fear not receiving the mail I need. Has anyone tried this?? Any other suggestions for junk mail??