We use about 62 million trees and 25 billion gallons of water to produce one-year's worth of this country's junk mail. Think of the natural resources that are wasted, not to mention the frustration and time you spend dealing with your daily dose of unwanted mail.
Why Do I Get So Much Junk Mail?
When you subscribe to a publication, place a credit card order, order items through the mail or the Internet, join an organization, donate to a charity, or enter a sweepstakes, chances are your name is being added to a mailing list of some kind. In addition, there are companies who are in the business of selling your name to other companies who believe you may purchase their products or services.
How Do I Get Rid of It?
To reduce junk mail, you need to reduce access to your name and address so that it won't be traded, rented, or sold to companies who send you unwanted mail. Using this kit will help keep new junk mail from finding its way to your doorstep, show you how to reduce your current flow of mail, and offer recycling options for the occasional piece that sneaks in.
If you do nothing else, follow steps one and two to keep additional junk mail from entering your mailbox. Then you can focus on reducing your current flow of unwanted mail.
STEP 1: Prevent junk mail before it starts
Send letters or postcards to the companies listed below, with the following information:
- Your name
- Your address, including city, state, and zip code
- This message:
I am instructing you NOT to LEND, SELL, or TRADE my name to any other organization for its mailing lists. I want to reduce the amount of paper and resources being spent to generate unwanted mail. Sign your name and date the card.
This will remove your name from mailing lists of companies who send you catalogs, sweepstakes entries, coupons, etc.
You will have to send separate cards for each person who receives unwanted mail at your address, and for any variation of your name that you find on your unwanted mail, for example:
- Linda Ann Brown
- Linda Brown
- L. A. Brown
- L. Brown
Contact the companies listed below and ask that they remove your name from their mailing lists.
When making donations, ordering items through the mail, or subscribing to a publication, include a note that instructs the organization or company not to lend, sell, or trade your name to other mailing lists.
Call or Mail Postcards to Request Removal from Mailing Lists:
Call TOLL-FREE Numbers to Request Removal from Mailing Lists:
- Potpourri Classifieds
(800) 422-4116
Circulation
2830 Orbiter Street
Brea, CA 92621
- 1 888-5-OPT-OUT
(1-888-567-8688)
- Experion 800-407-1088
List Maintenance
901 West Bond St.
Lincoln NE 68521
This will remove your name from mailing lists sold by Equifax, Experion and Trans Union, three big companies that provide credit history to potential lenders. These mailing lists are a major source of the credit card offers that many people receive on an almost daily basis.
Note that it will take a few months for your name to exit these companies' mailing systems. You might have to repeat some of the steps. When you need to send additional requests for removal from mailing lists, check back with this site. We will update the addresses as necessary.
STEP 2: Reduce your CURRENT flow of junk mail . . .
Select the appropriate step to remove your name from mailings you currently receive.
Remove your name from mailing lists as soon as you receive an unwanted piece of direct mail. Most catalogs include an 800 number. If so, request that your name be removed from their mailing list (it will take a few months for your name to exit their mailing system). If you receive unsolicited flyers, newspapers, or advertising circulars, call the paper's subscription department, or the company's information number and ask them to remove your name from their list. OR
Some junk mail is marked "address correction requested" or "return postage guaranteed." If your mail has this wording, return it unopened to the sender by writing "Refused-return to sender" on the envelope.
STEP 3: Recycle the junk mail you do receive
Some unwanted mail will undoubtedly get through, so please recycle it! Many communities have mixed paper recycling services as part of their residential curbside recycling program. If you need information on where to recycle mixed paper, call the Countywide Recycling Hotline at 1-800-533-8414.
Additional Tips
Post Office Change-of-Address Cards
If you move, send out your own postcards announcing your new address to those whose mail you want to receive. You can also ask the Post Office to hold your mail for pick up until everyone knows your address. Avoid using the change-of-address cards issued by the Post Office. The Post Office rents the information from change-of-address cards to private businesses. This is how national list brokers, credit bureaus, and others may get your name in the first place.
Warranty Cards
It isn't necessary to complete warranty cards to be covered by the warranty on a product you buy. The only reason to return a warranty card is to find out about product recalls. If you want to return the card for that reason, only provide your name, address, and product serial number.
Stop Junk Mail Association
This organization lobbies on behalf of postal privacy rights. For more information, call them at 800-827-5549.
This JUNK MAIL REDUCTION GUIDE is modified from materials prepared by the City of Palo Alto Recycling Program.
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