Stop Snail Mail in Its Tracks
Tips for Reducing Junk Mail

Junk mail is not only annoying, it’s expensive, too! Did you know that over the course of your lifetime you will spend up to 8 full months perusing junk mail, half of which you’ll throw away without ever even opening? It’s true. Americans reportedly pay $370 million to haul 5.6 million tons of unrecycled junk mail to US landfills each year – that’s 1.5 trees for each American household, according to the Center for a New American Dream!

With this in mind, there are a few simple things you can do to significantly reduce the sheer volume of junk mail you receive each year. While experts suggest that it’s impossible to stop all commercial mail, you may be able to slow it down by up to 90% by following the tips below.

Opt-out of Pre-approved/Pre-screened Credit Offers
Visit www.optoutprescreen.com (or call 1-888-567-8688) and follow the instructions for opting out of “firm” offers from credit, insurance, and mortgage companies. These offers are the result of the major consumer credit reporting companies selling your name and contact information whenever you apply for credit.

This site offers both 5-year and lifetime removal from these mailing lists; however, in order to be removed for life, you have to mail in your request as opposed to doing it online. The credit companies are betting that you’re too lazy to take the extra step to opt-out for life, but you can prove them wrong.

Register for the Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) Mail Preference Service
To register for the DMA’s do-not-mail service, visit www.dmachoice.org. This site also has links if you need to stop mail for a deceased individual or manage mail for a dependent in your care.

Instruct Companies Not to Share Your Information
Whenever you purchase anything that comes through the mail, including magazine and newspaper subscriptions, be sure to read each company’s privacy policy carefully. Often, especially for non-profit organizations, you’ll be given an option to check a box if you don’t want your data shared with anyone else. If there is no such option, write it in yourself, clearly expressing that you do not want your information shared with anyone. Follow this up with a phone call to let them know before it’s too late.

If you have any trouble removing yourself from a specific mailing list, visit the Direct Marketing Association and use their complaint form to report the company. If you receive unsolicited adult-oriented advertising (“SOA”), contact the US Postal Service and ask about removing your name from these mailing lists.

While completing these easy steps won’t keep certain unwanted mail from filling up your mailbox – your bills, for instance – the ratio of cards and letters you do want to receive versus those you don’t will change significantly in just 30-60 days.

If you have any more junk mail tips to add to this list,
please don’t hesitate to call and fill me in!