This is not a story about the Yeti or the Abominable Snowman. Instead, this is the tale of your carbon footprint. Believe it or not, there are people in this world that like to sit around playing with calculators. Normally I shy away from them, but every once and awhile they come up with an irresistible little tid-bit that causes me to nearly leap off the couch! Please fasten your seatbelt now.
A recent study in Europe has found that the carbon footprint of the average persons YEARLY junk mail pile is equal to five...Yes...FIVE cheeseburgers. Now sit down again and think about that! Think of how fun it is everyday to sift through the mounds of fabulous deals, and miracle medical whatnots, and pizza coupons. Think of how many great printers are occupied producing that heap. Think of all the people affected by this avalanche of news and deals. That stack of treasure is probably higher than your head.
Now, think of five cheeseburgers. Think of heavy hips. Think of clogged arteries. Think of hundreds of mice starving to death somewhere with no cheese to eat! Think of the pleasure of one fine feast!
Any sane person would admit, junk mail is a terrific deal seen through these glasses. Since you are thinking already, keep on thinking about how 82% of people like getting catalogs in the mail. Or how 80% read or at least skim direct mail. Or, here's another number, 67% of all online "action" is driven by offline messages. Over 40% of people have tried a new business or service for the first time as the result of direct mail.
Now, if I can only figure out a way to mail five cheeseburgers!
