41pounds.org

Infobox Non-profit
Motto = Saving the environment 41 pounds at a time
Non-profit_name =41pounds.org
Non-profit_
founded_date = 2006
location = Ferndale, Michigan, United States
area_served = USA
key people = Sander DeVries, Shane Pfannes, Tim Pfannes
focus = Environmentalism
slogan = Reclaim Your Mailbox
homepage = http://www.41pounds.org

41pounds.org is a nonprofit environmental organization based in Ferndale, Michigan, established in 2006 by Sander DeVries, Tim Pfannes, and Shane Pfannes. It offers a for-fee service to recipients of United States postal mail which reduces the amount of unsolicited commercial mail that is delivered to each postal customer. 41pounds.org is a carbon-neutral organization [ [http://www.carbonfund.org/site/more/carbonfree_partner/577 Carbon free partner: 41 Pounds] , Carbonfund.org. Retrieved March 15 2008 ] and provides education regarding the negative environmental effects of direct mail. [See e.g. cite news |first=Chuck |last=Green |title=The direct mail stops here: New company 41pounds.org helps people halt the deluge |work=Waste News | date=25 September 2006 ]

Mission

41pounds.org's mission is the reduction of direct mail delivered to homes throughout the United States and, with it, reductions in the use of natural resources, [ [http://41pounds.org/about About] 41pounds.org. Retrieved March 15 2008.] solid waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and the active support of its partner nonprofit organizations.

Distinguishing features

The organization asserts that, in order to produce and process 4 million tons of direct mail solicitations per annum, 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water are consumed. [ [http://41pounds.org/about About] 41pounds.org. Retrieved March 15 2008.] The organization offers educational information and a service, available to all adult recipients of United States Postal mail, which effectively reduces delivery of junk mail and enables it to contribute to community, regional, and national nonprofit organizations.

41pounds.org claims to donate more than one-third of its subscriber fees to US charitable groups, as specified by each subscriber. [cite web |url=http://www.41pounds.org/givingback/ |title=Giving Back |accessdate=2008-03-19 |work=41pounds.org ] [cite journal |year=2007 |month=October |url=http://www.amfor.org/productsandpubs/magazine/archives/2007autumn/Autumn_2007_mag.pdf |title=Trash Junk Mail |journal=American Forests |volume=113 |issue=3 |pages=17 |accessdate= 2008-03-19(PDF)]

The name of the organization derives from the estimated weight of unsolicited mail, including catalogs, financial services advertisements, and "free samples," that the organization claims the United States Postal Service delivers to each postal customer annually. [ Ben Lamothe, “Easy way to lose 41 lbs.: Shedding junk mail weight,” Oakland Business Review, Sep. 27-Oct. 3, 2007. [http://www.41pounds.org/news/41pounds_article_mbizreview.pdf Courtesy link from 41Pounds.org] ] [WDIV-TV [http://www.41pounds.org/news/41pounds_NBCnews_WDIV.wmv Courtesy link from 41Pounds.org] ]

Partners

*StopGlobalWarming.org
*American Forests
*Carbonfund.org
*Habitat for Humanity
*Grist
*The Ocean Project
*Focus the Nation
*Trees for the Future
*Green Ambassadors
*Anza-Borrego Foundation and Institute
*San Tan Pride
*Sierra Business Council
*Wild West Institute
*Center for a New American Dream

See also

*Sustainability
*Biodiversity
*Global warming
*Recycling
*Ecology
*Earth Science
*Natural environment

References

External links

* [http://www.41pounds.org 41 Pounds] official website.
*Sheena Harrison, " [http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070430/SUB/70427011 20 in their 20’s, Sander DeVries] " Crain’s Detroit Business