THREE businessmen with a history in direct mailing are now making up for their impact on the environment by launching a new business.

The Green Mail Campaign, based at York Science Park, hopes to save 36,000 tons of carbon dioxide produced by unwanted direct mail, by allowing the public to register their preferences on how they wish to be contacted by businesses.

Paul Anderson, chief executive, said businesses had responded positively to the idea and they are now launching its free greenpreference service.com service to consumers.

He said: “The industry likes what we’re doing. We have been talking to all the companies we know which use direct mail, including all the major banks and insurers and the feedback we have had has been absolutely fantastic.”

The campaign, which has the support of The Direct Marketing Association (DMA), will donate 25 per cent of the profits it generates from direct mail businesses to green charities.