Seattle City Council pushes for statewide Do Not Mail Registry
SEATTLE -- The Seattle City Council has approved a resolution urging state lawmakers to set up a Do Not Mail Registry.
But if the resolution becomes law, thousands of jobs could be in jeopardy.
The Seattle Mailing Bureau in Renton is one of the places where your direct mail comes from. That's "direct mail," not "junk mail," and there's a world of difference, according to Cindy Gulling, a bureau employee.
"It's not just junk mail. Junk mail's a four-letter word in my book," she said.
Gulling is tempted to use a four-letter word of her own to describe how she feels about the Seattle City Council's passage of the resolution.
The measure aims to keep unwanted ads out of mailboxes, but Gulling says those same ads support her family.
"When it comes to me possible losing my job and my career, it's actually devastating to my family," she said.
Seattle Mailing Bureau President Chad Richardson says if the state legalizes a Do Not Mail Registry, more than 40,000 people, including some of his employees, will lose their jobs.
"Some people are going to get laid off, and there are 10 other companies like mine in this county alone," he said.
Seattle City Council member Richard Conlin proposed the resolution, stating social and environmental reasons.
The resolution states, "the production, distribution, and disposal of unsolicited direct mail contributes to climate change by producing 51 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually - equivalent to that of 10 million automobiles," and "approximately 44 percent of all unsolicited direct mail arrives in landfills unopened."
A number of states have established a similar registry, including Montana, Hawaii, New York, Texas and Colorado, according to the measure.
But Gulling wishes lawmakers would throw away the resolution and keep things the way they are.
"I hope it doesn't pass," she said. "I'm praying that it doesn't."
But if the resolution becomes law, thousands of jobs could be in jeopardy.
The Seattle Mailing Bureau in Renton is one of the places where your direct mail comes from. That's "direct mail," not "junk mail," and there's a world of difference, according to Cindy Gulling, a bureau employee.
"It's not just junk mail. Junk mail's a four-letter word in my book," she said.
Gulling is tempted to use a four-letter word of her own to describe how she feels about the Seattle City Council's passage of the resolution.
The measure aims to keep unwanted ads out of mailboxes, but Gulling says those same ads support her family.
"When it comes to me possible losing my job and my career, it's actually devastating to my family," she said.
Seattle Mailing Bureau President Chad Richardson says if the state legalizes a Do Not Mail Registry, more than 40,000 people, including some of his employees, will lose their jobs.
"Some people are going to get laid off, and there are 10 other companies like mine in this county alone," he said.
Seattle City Council member Richard Conlin proposed the resolution, stating social and environmental reasons.
The resolution states, "the production, distribution, and disposal of unsolicited direct mail contributes to climate change by producing 51 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually - equivalent to that of 10 million automobiles," and "approximately 44 percent of all unsolicited direct mail arrives in landfills unopened."
A number of states have established a similar registry, including Montana, Hawaii, New York, Texas and Colorado, according to the measure.
But Gulling wishes lawmakers would throw away the resolution and keep things the way they are.
"I hope it doesn't pass," she said. "I'm praying that it doesn't."