So I’ve been known to contribute to environmental organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund and Defenders of Wildlife. I do it fairly regularly actually. Once you get on one or two of their mailing lists, you’re suddenly on a score of Earth-conscious organizatinons’ lists. And you know what that means? Lots of animal and nature themed address labels.

The message is clear:

Environmental organizations want us to send more snail-mail.

I admit it: The first thing I do when I move is to donate to one of the above organizations so my new address gets on the lists and I can get updated address labels. But after a few months, the address labels start taking over my desk!

Well, even if I sent out all the holidays cards I intended to each year and wrote to all the friends and relatives I keep meaning to write to, I could never use all the address labels I have just for mail. Never ever. I can’t just throw them out or recycle them, so I’ve had to come up with other ideas to keep the large stack of sheets of address labels manageable.

I present you with a list of things to do with address labels besides sending mail - I’ll update it with suggestions from the comments!

  • Label your books and notebooks. Address labels make great bookplates!
  • Label portable electronics accessories. I don’t recommend sticking a label to the power brick - wrap it around a safe part of the cord loosely and stick it to itself instead.
  • Label other little things that are easily confused or snatched by other people - scissors, office supplies, tupperware you’re taking to a party, leftovers or lunches in the office fridge, etc.
  • Use an address label instead of filling out all your info on pesky things like the envelopes for film development. This will work for any form that is NOT intended to be read by machines. I took a couple to my first appointment with a new doctor. The person doing the data entry actually thanked me.
  • Use them instead of tape when organizing your receipts for expense reporting. I never have tape handy and using the address labels ensures that the receipts can be matched up with me if they get separated from the rest of the report.
  • Stick them to the inside of cards when you’re providing someone with an updated address. (”Oh yeah, I moved in May so here’s my new address. And Happy New Year!”)
  • Cut the address bits off to make them into animal/nature stickers for your favorite kidlets to play with.

I should further point out that you can get off the lists. If you never intend to donate again (aw…) and want to stop the flow of pleas for your money, most organizations have a way to request removal from their mailing lists.

Any other ideas?

Other tidbits - my new scanner is set up and there will be more Monster Cat soon!

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