There will be a welcome absence for those returning to campus – namely, an absence of Junk Mail. Our friends in Penn Mail Services report that:

Penn Mail Services, in partnership with the United States Postal Services, is eliminating the delivery of unsolicited standard mail: mail order catalogs, brochures addressed to “occupant” or “resident” or do not have an official campus address.

Approximately 35% of inbound mail delivered weekly is discarded in recycling containers or held for pickup by Penn Mail Services’ carriers. This creates unnecessary waste and effort across the campus and slows the delivery of important first class mail, magazines, periodicals and professional trade publications addressed to individuals.

This change is part of an ongoing effort by Penn to improve service, reduce costs and support the University’s sustainability efforts.

- From the Summer Almanac (7/14/09)