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Precycling - The City of Napa Way

Today I learned that the City of Napa is using Catalog Choice to promote “precycling” to city residents.  You can read the entire article by Jill Decker over at the Napa Valley Register.

The article was prompted by a suggestion from Napa resident Lisa Jaynes.  What caught my attention was that Lisa learned about Catalog Choice when she saw a flyer for our site in her garbage bill.

The flyer went out earlier this year to about 26,000 Napa city and south county garbage customers, according to the city’s Napa Materials Diversion Administrator Kevin Miller.

“The city and county of Napa are true believers in waste prevention, sometimes called ‘precycling.’ In the case of unwanted junk mail, recycling is good (and certainly better than sending it to be buried in a landfill),” Miller said, “but avoiding the junk mail in the first (place) is much better for the environment.” It’s the reduce part of “reduce, reuse, recycle.”

An important point that Jill makes in the article is “the site (catalogchoice.org) promises not to share your personal information beyond what is needed to take you off their list.”  That’s right - We only send your personal information to the merchant to request that they remove you from their mailing list.  As part of the transmission of your information, we require that they not rent, sell or use your name for any other purpose.  This remains a voluntary process and we continue to see more and more merchants updating their systems to accommodate consumers’ mail preference requests.

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 8th, 2008 at 1:27 pm and is filed under Featured, Recycling, Reducing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

25 Responses to “Precycling - The City of Napa Way”

  1. Too bad that the Title Nine catalog does not originate from Napa! They refuse to work with Catalog Choice.
    I called them twice to ask them to stop sending the catalog, and just got another one today.
    I will never buy from them, not ever!

    Catherine on March 8th, 2008 at 1:54 pm

  2. stop heavy daily mail load of unsolicitated sales catalogs

    SARAH RAMSAWACK on March 9th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

  3. 6-10 unwanted catalogs on an average day. I do not buy and so this is very wasteful.I cannot write to each one to request to be removed from their mailing lists and point out that I am not their customer! Thanks for letting me have my say.

    Irene on March 10th, 2008 at 6:04 am

  4. We are getting catalogs for 3 individuals in our family — sometimes 2 catalogs unsolicited because 1 company got mom’s name and another got the daughter’s name. Thank goodness for the catalog choice people because there is at last hope that we will not be making a weekly trip to the Arlington recycle facility (thus saving gas).

    The Jack Robertson family of Arlington on March 10th, 2008 at 4:43 pm

  5. “Choices… They’re good, right? Well, somewhere along the way, I walked into a life with too many choices…

    “So my strategy of late has been to eliminate or just plain ignore choices…”

    —Missy Park, Founder, Title Nine
    Summer 2008 catalog, inside front cover

    I won’t say much about the above commentary, which speaks for itself. It did seem ironic coming from a company that ordinarily prides itself on a plethora of sports bra choices.

    The news about Napa is super good, though. I wonder if that would fly in my community? I’d have to look into it. A possible issue here is that our recycling is handled by a private company. They seem to do a fine job with it, but I know it’s not the most profitable activity for them. Paper recycling is one area where they come out ahead, I believe. They had to drop glass altogether a few years back because it was costing them too much.

    I plan to recommend Catalog Choice at a community forum where I’m speaking in two days. I hope to get a good response there.

    Tracy Glomski on March 11th, 2008 at 6:13 am

  6. I would like to take a collection of unwanted catalogs in my community and delete the names/addresses on catalogchoice.org for my neighbors. The site only allows me to input my own information.
    does anyone have any suggestions?

    Lisa Snyder on March 12th, 2008 at 2:42 pm

  7. Hi, Lisa. The site does allow you to input different names and address under the “My Profile” page, so that might be a suggestion for your neighbors who don’t have a computer or access to one. But, if they do have a computer, it might be good for them to manage their own account(s). Just a thought.

    Laura on March 13th, 2008 at 4:14 am

  8. I’ve heard this objection from several merchants: Catalog Choice makes it too easy to submit opt-outs for other people. Someone from the industry posted the “but kids are blocking their parents’ catalogs!” complaint at my blog very recently.

    Ironically, I’ve considered doing just that for my in-laws. They’re seniors, and although they’re very bright people, they’re not the most comfortable with computers. They’re highly resistant to giving out their e-mail address for any reason. But they are receiving loads of catalogs, and it’s partially my fault. Back in the ’90s, when we were exchanging Christmas wish lists, the easiest way was to send clippings from catalogs. Now they get a bunch of mailings that are of absolutely no interest to them. Both Mom and Dad have complained about it.

    I feel it would not be unethical to ask them to save their catalogs so I can enter their data under my own e-mail confirmed account. With their permission, of course. Some people in the industry seem very afraid of that, though.

    Tracy Glomski on March 13th, 2008 at 7:25 am

  9. I’m originally from Australia where if you place a sign saying ‘no junk mail please’ on your letter box the mail carrier will not place any advertising material in it. It’s so simple. I’ve been here 10 years and haven’t figured out how to stop all this wasteful rubbish- Catalog Choice is the first ray of hope I’ve seen - Thank You! But at the same time there has to be an easier way!

    Simin on March 13th, 2008 at 10:44 pm

  10. I’m so glad that “green” is finally cool and sites like this have sprung up. Not everyone has recycling and so much of this junk is filling landfills. Keep up the good work!

    Jenna on March 14th, 2008 at 6:28 pm

  11. Thank you so much for helping me to simplify the unpleasant task of eliminating unwanted catalogs. Your site is well planned and it takes a lot less time to say no to companies than sitting on the telephone for most of the day.

    Susan Houk on March 16th, 2008 at 3:04 pm

  12. I seriously began trying to be removed from catalog mailing lists in October. I have phoned the companies as well as using this great website. I am desparate to stop all of the junk mail that arrives every day. Again this am I called a catalog that I’ve repeatedly told REMOVE me since October and they said it usually takes 6 months to be off their list. Crazy! There should be a law against that.
    Even Gifts that have been sent to us have even put us on company lists.
    The suggestion to pass on the precycling article to your local Waste Management Company has a potentially powerful impact!
    thanks for Catalog Choice!

    Judy on March 18th, 2008 at 7:25 am

  13. I had the same problem with Title Nine - refused to cancel catalog on line here - called last week. I’ll see if they honor my request. But I WILL NOT order from them ever again.

    Anne on March 18th, 2008 at 11:04 am

  14. I just discovered that some companies have refused to take me off their lists! Unvelievable. Here is the general response I’ve sent those companies (I’ve edited it to fit the particular retailer, if necessary):
    Dear Catalog X, I joined Catalog Choice, and see that you have refused to honor my request that I no longer receive your catalog.I don’t want to add to the landfill/pollution problems we face, and it costs you money to produce and mail your catalog to me, although I will never order from it. Continuing to receove your catalog will just make me angry that you refused my request and want to continue to add to the problems we are facing on our planet. Thank you, Kate, Gillette, WY

    Kate Missett on March 18th, 2008 at 3:02 pm

  15. Cabela’s refuses to honor requests from Catalog Choice. TODAY I received FOUR catalogs from them, Master Fishing 2008, Home and Cabin, Automotive and ATV and Boating and Marine. I called immediately, had my name taken off their list and asked the rep if they could place comments. I told them I am disgusted by an outdoor life catalog that not only refuses to honor a request but send 4 catalogs in ONE day.

    Christine Lies on March 18th, 2008 at 3:22 pm

  16. I’ve been using Catalog Choice, for a little over a month, after seeing it discussed on TV. Entering daily after the mail arrives, I’m up to 150 catalogs & another 20 that you don’t have on your list. I couldn’t believe it!!

    So far only 11 have accepted, 9 denied. I get anywhere from 3-15 catalogs daily. I was on vacation for a month, had the PO hold my mail and they had one of their huge mail tubs overflowing for me.

    Thanks goodness for your service. Hopefully, in a few more months I’ll see a much lighter load in my mailbox. Unfortunately, I don’t think all the mailing can ever be stopped.
    Katia, Spirit Lake, ID

    Katia Arquette on March 18th, 2008 at 11:48 pm

  17. Kudos to the responsible and consciencious merchants who respect their customers’ wishes AND the environment! Many people shop online and a printed catalog is redundant, so I don’t know why a merchant has issues with NOT printing an unwanted catalog. I’ve actually started checking for a merchant’s name on catalogchoice when making some purchasing decisions. Respect begets respect!

    Phyllis on March 19th, 2008 at 5:57 am

  18. I put a notation about Catalog Choice in the outgoing signature of my personal e-mail account. A few friends have thanked me for the information. It’s a great way to let a lot of people know. If everyone using CC does it we could could spread the word pretty fast!

    tc on March 19th, 2008 at 4:42 pm

  19. Hey everybody…emailing ABACUS one of the top address trading companies is one of the best ways to cut down quickly on catalog removal. Their email address is abacusoptout@epsilon.com

    Be sure to put every variation of your name and address as it appears on the catalogs and just request to be permanently removed from their database. Just a friendly suggestion!

    Emela on March 19th, 2008 at 6:44 pm

  20. In the past half month I have submitted 127 catalogs to be cancelled. At that rate I must receive over 1400 catalogs per year. With web sites available, why would I and the associated companies want to continue to send and receive paper catalogs.

    Glenn Furth on March 21st, 2008 at 7:26 pm

  21. When I called Cabelas to request to be removed from their mailing list, the rep apologized that they refused my request through Catalogue Choice. She removed me promptly and said it would take the normal 10-12 weeks. I felt that she did a good job by being so courteous to me and I thanked her for that.

    Anna Loewensteiner on March 22nd, 2008 at 12:49 am

  22. After I called Title 9 to find them closed, I went to their website. I found that they have an opt in/opt out request on their contact customer section. They give you directions as how to unsubcribe from their catalogues. I will let you know if I receive any more catalogues from them after the necessary time. I did tell them that I have no interest in their products as they do not work for me.

    Anna on March 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 am

  23. In response to Lisa’s comments about signing up other people on one’s account, let me point out that Catalog Choice does not encourage this practice, even with the individual’s permission. People should have their own accounts. For those individuals who lack access to a computer, we suggest 1. going to the local library where you can set up an email address and Catalog Choice account and/or 2. calling the catalog mailer directly. I know this is more time consuming, but catalog mailers want to know that the intention of opting out of a catalog is expressed directly by the individual receiving it in the mail. Thanks.

    April on March 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 am

  24. I wondered about that, and fair enough. Thanks for clarifying, April. My folks live out-of-state. When I visit them at the holidays, I’ll see if I can walk them the process through at their own computer. It’d be better that way, anyhow.

    I’ve begun to question the efficacy of contacting merchants individually, even though so many have indicated that’s what they prefer.

    Three out of five merchants whom I’ve contacted simply haven’t responded (the latest is excused for the moment, since it’s a holiday weekend). Only two have confirmed my opt-out requests. In one case, I contacted the customer service representative by e-mail—she was polite but nonetheless ignored my request to disclose the source for my name (and even the DMA says I have a right to ask for that). I was able to speak with the other representative on the phone. She did take my name and address, but she declined my customer number when I offered, and she seemed totally disinterested in my reason for opting out (which is unfortunate, because I was attempting to nicely explain that I enjoy the website, and I basically got a quick “thanks, bye”).

    Being nice is a tactic which hasn’t seemed to work. So now I’m downright confrontational. I predict that tactic won’t work, either, but at least I’ve done my darnedest to get my point across, and I can wash my hands as the catalogs continue to arrive. I do still intend to complain to the DMA about any prospecting mailings which haven’t stopped by October. I’ll be surprised, however, if even that makes a difference, especially for situations where the offending merchants are represented on the DMA board or in the DMA hall of fame. You guys know who you are.

    I hate to say this, but what will finally make the difference is when the smuggest companies start to go down under the weight of their own inefficiencies, compounded by a recessionary economy and postal rate hikes. That thought brings me no joy, but that’s what I foresee. The current structure of the direct marketing industry makes self-regulation difficult, but there’s ultimately no escape from the forces of self-correction. Ugh. I hate this. I hate the waste, the environmental destruction (not just the felled trees, but the greenhouse gas emissions, the heavy water usage, the potential toxins in the processing and printing), the imminent loss of jobs, all of it. Catalog Choice is a good concept at its core. It seems like the simple, obvious, better path through this all, but its benefits are currently limited to the merchants who’ve decided to make it work for them.

    When I try to tell a company that I don’t the catalogs, it’s an honest attempt to provide information that helps us both (and to at least a small degree, the world at large). I am grateful for the ones who’ve heard. I still wish more were listening.

    Tracy Glomski on March 22nd, 2008 at 2:54 pm

  25. Wow! I just looked at the numbers of newbies - almost 800,000. Go for the 1 mil and keep going. CC. Kudos to you!

    I’ve got to say that this week all I got was a Blair, Montgomery Ward and JC Penney and 10 junk mailings. Bills are not junk and don’t count. (I am not running a temperature) Maybe, I’ll get my 3 week vacation. Have not had one in almost 5 years.

    My CC Score:

    508 request input since Jan08
    81 Confirmed
    16 Refused and slowly dropping
    248 Unconfirmed
    163 MIA - or delivered
    I call that good. Get the big fellers to step up to the plate and consumers have it made! Maybe we will have a choice.

    Yvonne Camesi on May 10th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
 

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