On Earth Day: Stop Junk Mail and Keep Trees in the Forests

FERNDALE, Mich., April 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The danger of dramatic climate change underlines the need for each of us to find sensible ways we can contribute to keeping the planet healthy. One simple step is to say "NO" to unwanted junk mail. The nonprofit 41pounds.org service stops your paper junk mail – and keeps more trees in the forest providing oxygen for us to breathe and absorbing carbon to cool the planet.

"The celebration of Earth Day takes on greater urgency as we learn more about climate change," says 41pounds.org co-founder Sander DeVries. "Each of us can make changes that improve our daily lives AND improve the planet's health -- like stopping the daily deluge of junk mail that ravages the forests and clutters your home."

With 41pounds.org, you can reduce household clutter and protect a healthy climate.

• More than 100 million trees are destroyed each year to create junk mail.
• The world's temperate forests absorb 2 billion tons of carbon annually to help keep the planet cool and healthy.
• Junk mail produces more greenhouse gas emissions than 9 million cars.
• The average adult spends 70 hours a year dealing with junk mail.

Named for the amount of junk mail that the average American adult receives every year, 41pounds.org stops household junk mail by contacting dozens of direct mail companies to remove you from their marketing lists.

41pounds.org helps the environment two ways -- first, by stopping your junk mail and second, by giving money to effective environmental organizations such as Trees for the Future, American Forests, Audubon Society chapters, Ecocycle, Carbonfund.org, Outward Bound and others.

The service covers everyone in your household for five years and costs $41, including a $15 donation to the environmental or community organization you choose.

"We thank 41pounds.org for being a great partner and providing a simple solution for people to reduce their junk mail and their climate impact," said Eric Carlson, President, Carbonfund.org.

Three brothers -- Sander DeVries, Tim Pfannes and Shane Pfannes -- started 41pounds.org in 2006 as a community service. 41pounds.org has stopped more than 10 million pounds of junk mail and donated more than $250,000 to nonprofit organizations.

To sign up or learn more, go to www.41pounds.org.

SOURCE 41pounds.org