How to Kill Junk Mail

by WiredBerries Editors — October 24, 2007

What kills 100 million trees a year, uses 28 billion gallons of water, pollutes the environment, and ends up filling the nation's growing landfills? All those useless flyers, magazines, and pamphlets you get alongside your bills and magazine subscriptions every month. Junk mail is not only annoying but it takes a serious toll on the earth. According to the Center for a New American Dream, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible consumerism, the average American receives around 11 pieces of unsolicited junk mail each week.

You might not have known, but within a few minutes you could easily reduce the amount of junk mail sent to you. All you have to do is de-list your name. Most senders of unsolicited junk mail get your name and address from one of three sources: Abacus Catalog Alliance (catalogs), Direct Marketing Association (fliers, brochures, etc.), or the credit bureaus (credit card and insurance offers). Take the time to wipe your name from these lists and you'll notice a huge reduction in junk mail coming to your door:

• Abacus Catalog Alliance--Signing up permanently halts the catalog mailings from association members. Email optout@abacus-direct.com with your full name and current address.
• Direct Marketing Association--Stops direct mail marketing from association companies for 5 years. There is a $1 fee. Access forms at https://www.dmachoice.org/cgi/offmailing for online or mail-in submission.
• OptOutPrescreen.com--This joint venture of the three credit bureaus puts a stop to prescreened credit and insurance solicitations. Sign up to halt these mailings for 5 years or stop them permanently. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT or fill out a form.

Unfortunately, not every company sending junk mail your way belongs to one of these big three. Companies with which you have a business relationship--from your credit-card issuer to that Internet retailer you ordered from once, will likely continue to send you mail. But when you get a stray piece of junk, before you toss it, give the company's toll-free number a call and ask to be removed from the mailing list. Look for a customer number on the label, which should help reps access your records quickly. It may take a little bit of time, but you'll soon enjoy having a mailbox free of junk mail.