Getting to know LetterStream | LetterStream Blog

"Green" or Simply "Responsible"?

Green and Responsible Mail

Are we green or just being responsible?

I go back and forth on whether we use the greatly-over-used “green” label on what we do; quite often opting instead to use the term “responsible“. After all, we print and mail, and the word on the street is you can’t be “green” if that’s what you do (I could give you compelling reasons why that isn’t true, but I’ll save that for another day).

My point is that we work extra hard to be responsible with the by-products of our production process. We sort it, weigh it, categorize it, and talk about it; all in an effort to be responsible with our waste. Our efforts to improve in this area have been phenomenal over the years and we are proud of the job we’re doing.

Of our total facility waste, we have found ways to reuse a staggering 46% of all production waste. To be clear, this isn’t recycling, this is actual reuse by others outside of the LetterStream organization. As for recycling, 50% of our waste is being properly recycled, leaving us with only 4% of our waste actually making it to a trash dumpster.

Is that green, or just responsible? Maybe both.

Follow @LetterStream On Instagram!

LetterStream photos on Instagram

Hey all you #hashtag #instagrammers!

Over the years we’ve collected a lot of fun #photos of mail and related items, and we thought… why not share them with the world on Instagram?

If you aren’t familiar with Instagram, it’s a great way to share cool photos with friends and family… and the world. You can get the app for iPhone and Android phones alike. If you don’t want to install the app to share your own pictures, you can still use Instagram just with your computer. Go to instagram.com/letterstream to find our pictures, or click on the new Instagram button at the top right of this page.

Anyway, check out @letterstream or #letterstream on your Instagram app, or visit the website above.

When you take a cool picture of a post office box, USPS stamp, mail box, blue collection box, certified mail envelope or any other mail-related item, tag it with @letterstream to let us know!

Going Out On A Limb

I Love LetterStream Ribbon

We decided to try a different kind of giveaway at our booth at the National CAI Trade Show this year, and to be honest, it could have backfired on us.

This year we took the risk of offering “I Love LetterStream” ribbons to our customers and API partners as they stopped by our booth. We were hoping that a few would attach the ribbon to their trade show attendee badge. But whatever happened, we knew it would be a learning experience.

You see, when you ask someone to wear a ribbon that says they love you, you open yourself up to a whole lot of scrutiny. Would our customers and partners love it or hate it?

We waited patiently as the Expo doors opened and attendees started filing into the aisles. Then the first visitors approached our booth, they looked up to survey our exhibit, they noticed the LetterStream banner, and then we heard these words… “LetterStream!!, We love LetterStream!!” We breathed a sigh of relief and passed out the “I Love LetterStream” ribbons, which were quickly applied to their trade show badges.

Indeed it was a risky move, and one that might have caused us to be accused of excessive boldness. But in the grand scheme of things, it certainly created an honest feedback mechanism. And we discovered what we hoped would be true; that our customers LOVE the LetterStream experience. We passed out slightly over 100 ribbons at the Community Association Institute (CAI) national trade show and the CAI Arizona show.

We work very hard to provide incredible speed, impeccable accuracy and crazy good service; and we are tickled to know that it is appreciated by our customers.

To our customers and API partners that were happy to wear our ribbons, we say “Thank You!”. Thank you for your feedback, your partnership and your appreciation.

For those who aren’t that familiar with LetterStream, check out some of the positive things our customers are saying about us on our testimonials page. And if you have something you want to add, please keep the comments coming!

Toys for Tots Update

Toys for Tots

We had a great time at the Toys for Tots drop in North Scottsdale this year. LetterStream’s toy giving was up quite a bit from last year.

I am continually amazed at the generosity of our team… Thanks guys!

However, due to the wet-est cold-est day in Scottsdale, the total number of toys retrieved by the Marines was only about 12 jumbo boxes full. But those who dared to experience our winter wonderland heard great holiday tunes, were warmed by hot chili, and were greeted by Santa.

For you locals, be sure to put this event on your list of to-dos for next year. It’s a wonderful family outing and it benefits kids who appreciate a few more gifts under the tree.

*Picture provided by dasFOTOhaus.com. (More pictures of the event can be found on their website.)

Warm Wishes and Holiday Hours

Christmas ornaments

Wishing you the very merriest of holiday seasons this year!

From your friends at:

LetterStream Holiday Hours

Visit us on social media!

Toys for Tots – Scottsdale

LetterStream is participating in a local Toys for Tots event this year in North Scottsdale.

The event includes food, live music, Marines and the big-guy wearing a red suit. Yes, Santa will even be there and available for pictures.

pinnacle peak-santa-2

It’s at the Pinnacle Peak General Store and Village, in the courtyard between 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM, Saturday December 15th.

It will be a great outing for family and friends.

Pinnacle Peak General Store and Village

If you join us, be sure and bring a toy or two for the Marines to distribute to children.

*Pictures in this post are from the event last year.

Sending Mail on Postal Holidays

Can you send mail on USPS postal holidays? Sure you can!

Let’s face it, we don’t all get the same paid holidays that the United States Postal Service (USPS) employees get. In 2012, the USPS is closed for 10 holidays.

However, if you are working and you need your mail to go out, LetterStream has the ability to mail your letters on many postal holidays. While the post office front counters are closed and mail carriers are off, there are some holidays that the post office back office is still on duty.

So, “Yes”, the USPS accepts and processes our mail on President’s Day (Washington’s birthday), Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, MLK Day and Juneteenth.

If you are like us and are working those days, feel free to send your mail to us and we’ll get it mailed on the Holiday for you!

Copier – Death by Crane (Video)

I just received this video from our friends at ProCopy Office Solutions. It shows a copier that they dropped from a 75 foot high crane in 2011. Pretty awesome!

This year, they are doing it again, and are having a contest for a free copier and a trip to the Bahamas if you can tell them why you have THE worst copier. You can see the details at http://www.procopyoffice.com/.

They are also allowing local businesses to drop their worst copiers for a $25 donation to the local Big Brother Big Sister organization.

Did LetterStream want to drop a copier? Absolutely! But not because we have any bad ones… all of ours make excellent copies and we don’t want to lose any of them. So instead we made a donation as though we were dropping our 8 biggest and best copiers… we can’t wait to see the ProCopy video for this year!

LetterStream Does What?

LetterStream is a printing and mailing company. Whether you need to send a single letter or one hundred thousand, LetterStream has a quick and easy solution.

Most of the time our customers create their entire mailing in less than 2 minutes on our website.

So, if you’re not a fan of licking your own envelopes or have had one too many all-night mail stuffing parties, you owe it to yourself to give us a call or explore our website to learn more. I’m sure we can help!

Want to give us a try? Use the following promotion code to get up to $20 off your first order. Hurry, the code is only good for 10 more days! (First order needs to be placed by Oct 31, 2012 or credit disappears)

*Promo code: 10daypromo