San Francisco Passes First ‘Do Not Mail’ Resolution in Nation

April 1, 2009 by postal
Filed under: postal, postal news, press releases 

City Calls On California To Give Citizens Choice Over Junk Mail

SAN FRANCISCO, March 31 — The San Francisco Board of Supervisors today passed a resolution calling on California to create a Do Not Mail Registry giving its citizens the choice to stop receiving unwanted junk mail.

Though non-binding, the resolution represents the first time American lawmakers have withstood pressure from the direct mail industry and the U.S. Postal Service to side with the majority of Americans.

Sponsored by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, the board approved the resolution by a 9-2 vote.

“Until now, junk mailers have stifled all efforts to give Americans what they want: an enforceable, comprehensive solution to junk mail’s waste and annoyance” said ForestEthics Executive Director Todd Paglia. “San Francisco is the first city in the United States to take political action against junk mail, marking the beginning of a long-awaited government intervention to protect citizens from relentless and predatory junk mailers.”

Bills calling for Do Not Mail Registries have failed in more than 20 states, despite widespread frustration with junk mail. A 2007 Zogby poll revealed that 89% of Americans support the creation of a national registry.

“Reducing junk mail is in keeping with our nation’s efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and lead more sustainable lifestyles,” said Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, upon passage of his Do Not Mail Resolution. “Just as Do Not Call overcame industry opposition to become the most popular consumer rights bill in history, I hope that this resolution will empower our representatives on the state and federal level to represent their constituents on this issue.”

Supervisor Mirkarimi has a record of trailblazing leadership on a variety of issues and policies, including the nation’s first municipal ban on plastic bags, and commuter benefits requirements for San Francisco businesses.

More than 93,000 Americans have signed ForestEthics’ petition at donotmail.org calling for the creation of a national Do Not Mail Registry.

Every year 100 million trees are logged to produce the 100 billion pieces of junk mail Americans receive. Junk mail’s production generates the carbon emissions of over 9 million cars. U.S. junk mail accounts for 30% of all the mail delivered in the world, though 44% of it goes to landfills unopened.

Visit donotmail.org for more information.

SOURCE ForestEthics

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Comments

13 Comments on San Francisco Passes First ‘Do Not Mail’ Resolution in Nation

  1. drichva on Wed, 1st Apr 2009 8:33 am

    2. Well it is San Francisco enough said

  2. lost mechanic on Wed, 1st Apr 2009 10:05 am

    3. there will be very litte reduction in the carbon foot print because the postal service still must drive to each mail box 6 days a week whether there is one, two or no mail. What will happen, is with the lost in revenue to the USPS, they will have to find some other mailer to pay for the cost of driving to your mail box 6 days a week and also the cost to keep your local PO open 6 days aweek, then there is the cost of the sorting plants and there multi millon dollar machines.

  3. Postal Customer on Wed, 1st Apr 2009 3:04 pm

    4. Many times I wait for the carrier to arrive before I go out for the day. Even if it’s only standard mail, I at least know the carrier has arrived and I can go about my day without worrying about someone stealing my mail and more importantly my identity with it.

  4. Josh on Wed, 1st Apr 2009 3:42 pm

    5. Junk mail an “annoyance”? Does it interrupt your dinner? Are you forced to open it? Comparing Do Not Mail with Do Not Call is apples and oranges. —– I would also ask why people aren’t recycling? If 40% of junk mail goes to landfills, whose fault is that for not putting it in the recycling bin? —– Go ahead, block junk mail. You are hurting the local businessman who can’t afford radio or TV ads. —– Who cares, this is California we’re talking about. Whichever way this vote goes someone will file a lawsuit to overturn it. Can you say Prop 8?

  5. ApeMan on Fri, 3rd Apr 2009 12:05 am

    6. Josh, absolutely right. And also the article claims a complete falsehood about 100 million trees. Almost all the paper used in this country now comes from tree farms.

  6. Doctor Doom on Fri, 3rd Apr 2009 12:17 am

    7. Damn homos.

  7. alex morno on Fri, 3rd Apr 2009 2:04 pm

    8. Sign me up!

  8. The Dude on Sat, 4th Apr 2009 8:07 am

    9. “Annoyance” isn’t the problem with the qoute, but “predatory”……Help, I am being hunted down by my mail.

  9. shaftedagain on Mon, 6th Apr 2009 4:14 pm

    10. calling all postal workers and their families dont watch no more leonardo de capprio movies he started this “green” no more junk mail stuff… there is nothing more annoying then movie trailers parked all over the street when im looking for a parking space

  10. Grub on Sat, 25th Apr 2009 1:52 pm

    11. Junk mail is poopy.

  11. polanny on Wed, 29th Apr 2009 6:13 am

    12. When they start paying for the incoming mail delivery then let them decide what is put in the box. But the PO should do away with the redundant classifications like carrier route mail that has to be automated.

  12. not stupid on Fri, 8th May 2009 8:50 pm

    13. Poopy is the word for it Senor Grub. This is a long time coming! I should not be forced to receive spam in my mailbox, just as I do not want it on my computer. My job is not to keep the postal service in business. That is management’s job. Upper management has failed this company. They are either too arrogant or too stupid to properly assess their own environment. The unions protect lousy work ethics, and performers are punished by being grouped with the rest of the slackers. I wish you all of the luck in the world USPS, I have a feeling we are going to need it.

  13. sod domy on Fri, 5th Jun 2009 7:35 pm

    14. what about my queer-gear sale papers?