You've Got Mail | Addressing Your Inbox

Tired of inbox overload and junk mail piling up on your counter? In this episode, Eleisha and Ali tackle the environmental impact of digital and physical mail and share tips to help you declutter sustainably. From email carbon footprints to junk mail opt-outs, the sisters break down how small tweaks can deliver major returns—without losing touch with what really matters.

Key Takeaways

• The Carbon Cost of Emails: The average person’s email habits can be equivalent to driving over 100 miles a year! Cutting down on unnecessary emails can reduce your digital footprint.
• Junk Mail Madness: In 2023, the USPS delivered 116.2 billion pieces of mail—half of which were marketing materials. That’s a lot of wasted paper!
• Inbox Zero for the Planet: Deleting old emails, unsubscribing from unnecessary newsletters, and minimizing attachments all help reduce energy consumption.
• Snail Mail Smarts: Switching to paperless billing and opting out of credit card offers and catalogs can drastically cut down your physical junk mail.
• Sending Smarter Mail: When you do send physical mail, choose recycled materials, support conservation stamps, or even upcycle junk mail into crafts!

Links

• Email Carbon Footprint
• Cloud Energy Use
• Junk Mail Numbers
• No "Thank You"
• Junk Mail Opt-Out Resources:
  • Catalogs
  • Marketing
  • Credit Cards
  • Spam
• Inbox Zero by Avi Fox
• USPS Sustainability Goals
• Learn about Eleisha's refillery: mainlineshift.com
• Ali's upcycling tips: @tiny_waste on social media

Join the Conversation

How many unread emails are sitting in your inbox? Have you tried cutting down on junk mail? Share your decluttering wins with us on social media @OneCanHopePodcast!