Residences
Do you open your mailbox each day to find it stuffed with unsolicited mail, catalogs, credit card applications, and advertisements? The best way to reduce unwanted mail is to stop it at the source. Taking some time to make a few phone calls or writing a note will save you a lot of time sorting through your daily mail.
- The average American household receives unsolicited junk mail equal to 1.5 trees every year—more than 100 million trees for all U.S. households combined
- 44 percent of junk mail is thrown away unopened
- On average, Americans spend 8 months opening junk mail in the course of their lives
Remember
Recycle the junk mail you do receive. Put all paper, including junk mail and catalogs, in your curbside or office recycling container.
Tame the Paper Tiger
The best way to handle junk mail is to STOP IT BEFORE it reaches your house. Visit some of these great websites for information on how you can "Tame the Paper Tiger!"
Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition http://stopjunkmail.org/
Stop Junk Mail at 41pounds.org http://www.41pounds.org/
Do It Yourself: Stop Junk Mail, Email, and Phone Calls http://www.obviously.com/junkmail/
Federal Trade Commission "Just Say No" http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt063.shtm
CalRecycle Reduce Junk Mail http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/reducewaste/home/junkmail.htm
Get Off National Mailing Lists
Contact the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) to register your name and address with their Mail Preference Service (MPS). The MPS will filter your name from mass mailings, significantly decreasing your direct mail load. Visit them online
Keep in mind, the DMA will not stop mail from companies you do business with, charitable organizations, or commercial organizations that do not use MPS. Contact those companies directly to request their procedure to remove your name from their marketing lists.
DMAchoice
Direct Marketing Association
PO Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
Online https://www.dmachoice.org/dma/member/regist.action
Reduce your direct mail by “Opting Out” of credit reporting agency list name sales. By opting-out, you remove yourself from marketing lists sold to businesses by the three national credit bureaus. It’s a simple process. Simply call 1-888-567-8688 and follow the automated instructions. You will receive a confirmation letter in the mail, which you must send back to the credit bureaus to confirm your request.
You can also opt out online at www.optoutprescreen.com.
Reduce Coupons, Ads, Product Samples
If you don't want these items, check for the name of the company distributing the item. Write or call and ask that your address be removed from the company's lists. These companies include:
Advo (ShopWise)
Valassis Direct Mail, Inc
Consumer Assistance
P. O. Box 249
Windsor, CT 06095
1-888-241-6760
Online at http://www.valassis.com/1024/Contact/contact_home.aspx
Harte Hanks (PennySaver)
Harte Hanks Direct Marketing
Attn: Consumer Preferences
C/O Pennysaver
2830 Orbiter Street
Brea, CA 92821
Online at http://ecom.pennysaverusa.com/mailinglist/removalform.aspx
Val-Pak Coupons
8605 Largo Lakes Dr.
Largo, FL. 33773
1-800-237-6266
Online at http://www.coxtarget.com/mailsuppression/s/DisplayMailSuppressionForm
No More Catalogs
Start by registering at Catalog Choice https://www.catalogchoice.org/
Abacus Alliance shares information between catalog vendors. You can opt out of their database at http://www.abacusoptout.com/
