Cut Down on Junk Mail

Summary: Eliminating the junk mail you receive not only reduces waste but also reduces the greenhouse gas emissions associated with creating and delivering the junk mail

Description

Any online purchase or donation can result in a barrage of mail not just from that particular organization, but also from many others who purchase your name and address from marketing lists. While most unwanted or “junk” mail can be recycled, producing marketing mailers consumes trees and water, and contributes to global warming. Sorting through and recycling unwanted mail also wastes your valuable time.

A number of free or low-cost options can help you stop, or at least slow down, the flood of junk mail to your home. Catalog Choice provides a way to cancel catalogs and other types of paper mail, DMAchoice allows you to opt-out of unsolicited commercial mail, and OptOutPrescreen.com is a service established by credit reporting companies enabling consumers to opt-in or out of receiving credit or insurance offers.

Deep Dive

According to the EPA’s latest data, marketing mail generated an estimated 3.7 million tons, or 1.3% of municipal solid waste generation, in 2018. More than half of that junk mail ended up in landfills, as the overall recycling rate for paper was 47.4% that year.

For an in-depth look at the impact of junk mail, read this Sierra Club piece here.

Steps to Take

Create an account at Catalog Choice.org and select the catalogs and other promotional materials you no longer wish to receive.

For a $4 processing fee, you can register for DMAchoice.org’s 10-year opt-out service for unwanted mail. The nonprofit organization also offers several free services: an eMail Preference Service to reduce unwanted email, a Deceased Do Not Contact list, and a Do Not Contact list for Caregivers.

Sign up with OptOutPrescreen.com to stop receiving firm credit company or insurance offers for five years or permanently.

Consider calling or emailing organizations to ask them to remove you from their mailing lists or returning “no postage necessary” envelopes with a note indicating your wish to opt-out of mailings.