It seems that with so much online, catalogs would be less popular, but I still see so many. Sometimes the catalogs are fairly unassuming, but sometimes they are monster catalogs. Either way, if it’s not a wanted catalog, see what you can do to stop it from coming to your mailbox. If it’s a catalog you genuinely like getting, that’s great. Maybe consider if you could look at the products online instead though. But, quite often I see catalogs arrive at someone’s home or business and go straight to the recycling, or worse, the trash. At one of my jobs, I saw so many catalogs go into the recycling, that I finally asked if I could just cancel them. It was way easier than I thought it might be, and it reduced the amount of incoming stuff to deal with.
REDUCE
The best way to reduce your number of unwanted catalogs is to take the time when ordering something to make sure you’re not automatically signed up to be on a mailing list. There’s usually a check box somewhere along the process where you can “opt out” before anything is even sent.
But, if you do end up receiving catalogs in the mail, either in your name or from a former house or business owner, it’s fairly easy to cancel.
There’s usually a phone number on the back of a catalog. They’ll ask for your name or a code on the catalog. I’ve called and cancelled a good number of catalogs in recent years, and I would say with 95% of companies, it’s super easy and they really don’t care why you’re unsubscribing. There are some companies that are tough to get a hold of or who are slightly weird about it, but I would say that’s definitely the exception. Often times, you can also just go to the company’s website to unsubscribe. You will usually be told that you will still receive one or two more catalogs since everything is preprinted. I think the standard answer is to give it 6-8 weeks to process. Because I was dealing with canceling so many catalogs at one point, I made a list of catalog names and the date I called, just to make sure everything stopped after that time period and to have a record of which ones I had already called.
REUSE
There are so many ideas for reusing catalogs. An online search will provide an abundance of inspiration. Above are some videos I’ve made that can be used for any number of paper products – magazines, catalogs, wrapping paper, etc. Paper products can be reused for collaging, crafting, making homemade envelopes, shredded gift wrap filler, gift bows or wrap, and so much more. If you’ve cancelled all your catalogs and magazines but still want to upcycle or craft with some, don’t worry. You can always ask friends or Freecycle.
RECYCLE?
Catalogs CAN be recycled. There was a time awhile ago that they couldn’t, but that’s no longer the case. My only hesitation with the awesomeness that they can be recycled, is that some people get careless then about reducing and reusing. Remember, to get the catalog TO you, trees are cut down, dyes are made, the catalog is manufactured and transported, which means pollution and water usage. And then the recycling itself, while is better than the trash, also involves its own transportation and manufacturing.
ENDING THOUGHTS
Reducing unwanted catalogs is easy. Spend the time you might be zoning out on your device or waiting on someone and cancel those catalogs! You’ll feel an enormous weight lifted for a relatively simple process. Not only are you doing your part for our environment, it’s also just really nice not to have to see those unwanted catalogs in your mail every month.
Thank you for being here. Your actions can and will make a difference!