kick the catalog habit

I recycle mail order catalogs, but I know that they waste a lot of paper.  While I enjoy looking through them, I do nearly all of my shopping online.  When I received a recent issue of Audubon magazine, there was an article about the plight of the boreal forest, a topic I've written about before (and here).  It noted that 17 billion catalogs are mailed annually in the U.S., <5% contain post-consumer recycled material, and most get at least some of their virgin fiber from the boreal forest. That, coupled with the striking photo shown here convinced me I had to take the time to kick the catalog habit.

As you receive catalogs this holiday season, take a minute and write them a quick e-mail to discontinue your subscription.  Below the fold, I've done all the time-consuming work for you.  There's a list of many major catalogs with a link directly to the correct customer service URL to request removal, plus a sample e-mail.  Click, cut, paste, send.  No more excuses.

You should also go to the Direct Marketing Association and fill out a mail preference service form to have your name removed from mailing lists. When you're all done, the environment and your mail carrier will thank you.

Update: See this post for a great new service, Catalog Choice.

Below is a list of catalog purveyors, their customer service phone number (usually NOT the order number), and a link to either their e-mail address or a customer service web page that includes a form where you can request them to stop sending a paper catalog.  An asterisk indicates that I received a speedy response. While you're at it, request that they do not share (sell) your name to other companies, from whom you will also receive junk mail.  Here's a sample request:

I enjoy your products but I prefer to shop online in order to reduce waste and the volume of paper used to print catalogs.  Please remove my name from your mailing list, and do not share my name with other companies.  Thank you! (Name, address, customer ID)

It's probably a good idea to remind them you don't want to be placed back on their mailing list when you do place an order after you've been removed.

Brookstone/Hard to Find Tools -- customer service web site -- 1-800-846-3000*

Cabela's -- customer service web site -- 1-800-237-4444*

Coldwater Creek -- customer service web site  -- 1-800-262-0040

Crutchfield -- e-mail customer service --1-800-955-9009*

The Company Store -- e-mail customer service -- 1-800-289-8508*

Duluth Trading -- e-mail customer service -- 1-877-382-2345*

FarmTek Growers Supply -- customer service web site -- 1-800-327-6835

Gaiam/Harmony -- e-mail customer service -- 1-877-989-6321

Harry and David -- customer service web site -- 1-877-322-1200*

Herrington -- e-mail customer service -- 1-800-903-2878*

Home Decorators Collection -- e-mail customer service -- 1-877-537-8539*

Land's End -- customer service web site -- 1-800-963-4816* (seems like they send 2 catalogs/mo.)

Linen Source -- customer service web site -- 1-800-466-8447

LL Bean -- e-mail customer service -- 1-800-559-0747 x 58138*

Magellan's -- customer service web site -- 1-800-962-4943

Mountain Gear -- e-mail customer service - 1-800-829-2009

National Wildlife Federation -- e-mail customer service - 1-800-477-5572 (although they say they "maximize the use" of recycled paper, the many catalogs I get from them really disturb me)

Norm Thompson (10% post consumer) -- customer service web site -- 1-877-718-7899

Pittman & Davis -- e-mail customer service -- 1-800-872-5302*

Plow and Hearth -- customer service web site -- 1-800-494-7544*

Pottery Barn -- customer service web site -- 1-888-779-5176*

REI -- customer service web site -- 1-800-426-4840*

Sahalie (20% recycled) -- customer service web site -- 1-877-718-7902

Sierra Trading Post-- customer service web site -- 1-800-713-4534*

Smith+Noble -- customer service web site -- 800-560-0027*

Solutions -- customer service web site -- 1-800-342-9988*

Stash Tea -- customer service web site -- 1-800-800-8327 (800-800-TEAS)*

Sundance -- customer service web site -- 1-800-422-2770

Territory Ahead -- customer service web site -- 1-800-737-5754

Title Nine -- customer service web site -- 1-800-342-4448

White Flower Farm -- e-mail customer service -- 1-800-503-9624*

Winter Silks - e-mail customer service -- 1-888-782-2224*

Wisconsin Cheeseman --  e-mail customer service -- 1-800-698-1751*

Woolrich -- e-mail customer service -- 1-800-966-5372

Comments

[John]

Thanks for the resource list. It frustrates me a bit that National Audubon sends me junk mail for Christmas cards, gift subscriptions, and all sorts of other things on a regular basis. An environmental organization really ought not do that.

[Roger B.]

Over here in the UK, the worst offenders include John Lewis, Rohan and Hawkshead. All three companies regularly send out paper catalogues, even if to customers who only shop online. Your post reminded me that I need to call them and ask them to stop it! Thanks.

[Trix]

Hmm. Somewhat sinister marketing biz, this is, as I receive several American catalogues, year-round, and I'm not sure why or how they got my address (perhaps through a major credit card company or two, I suspect)but when I tried to cancelled they simply kept coming, but now addressed to "Occupant". I had to raise a stink, thus wasting precious minutes of my life on a few 1 -800 #'s.

[Cindy]

I get what I consider 'junk' mail from ABA, National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon, ad nauseum. After uncramming 27 catalogs from my mailbox yesterday I appreciate this link- because those same 27 catalogs will arrive within a few more days.. same content, same prices, different cover.
Meanwhile, we build more and more landfills..

[Mary Ann]

Wow. Nice job assembling all those customer service numbers.

The DMA preferences form really works. Don't be put off by the $5 fee. I think it cut my junk mail by 50%. Now I only have to deal with the companies I've ordered from in the past.