Reducing Your Commercial Mail

Commercial mail or “junk mail” as it is often called, can be a big problem for most people. In fact, according to a report by the nonprofit group ForestEthics, “mail advertisements create 51.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gases each year — equivalent to the emissions generated by heating about 13 million homes during the winter, or mowing more than 20 billion lawns.”

Annoyed by the junk mail over-flowing from your mailbox? Here’s what you can do to stop it from bothering you and wasting valuable resources.

1) Get Moving

• Mail Preference Service Direct Marketing Association – Send a letter (P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735) asking them to “activate the preference service.” Give them your name (all variations) and full address. This also takes care of bulk mail addressed to “current resident.”
• TRW-NCAC Target Marketing Services - Call and use the automated service to remove your name from their marketing file. You can use their automated “opt-out” request line, 1-800-353-0809. You can also reach them via letter at 701 TRW Parkway, Allen, TX 75002.
• ADVO-Systems – This organization is one of the nation’s largest mailers of advertising mail. Write a letter and ask to have your name removed from their list. Contact their Director of List Maintenance at 239 West Service Rd., Hartford, CT 06120-1280.
• National Demographics and Lifestyles List Order Service – Call or write to request to have your name removed from their mailing list. Their address is 1621 18th Street #300, Denver, CO 80202 and their phone number is 1-800-525-3533.
• Haines and Company, Inc. Criss-Cross Directory – Write a letter and request to have your name removed from their reverse phone book publication, 2382 East Walnut Ave., Fullerton, CA 92631.
• Donnelly Marketing Database Operations – Write a letter and request your name to be suppressed in their files. Include your name, street address, city, state and ZIP code. Send the letter to 416 South Bell, Ames, IA. 50010.

2) Return to Sender

You may refuse any or all mail, except third class and bulk rate mail that is not postmarked. Before opening a piece of junk mail, check to see how much postage was paid. If the item was sent by first class mail or pre-sorted first class mail, cross out your address and bar code, circle the first class postage stamp and write “refused: return to sender.” Drop it in any mailbox. Most organizations quickly eliminate a refused address from their mailing lists.

3) On Their Dime

Many pieces of mail come with a pre-paid return envelope. If this is the case, make sure to drop it in the mail and include a note requesting that you be removed from the mailing list. Cut out the address label with your address and enclose that as well.

4) I Just Called To Say…Stop

Most companies  have a contact phone numbner. Notify the ones sending you unwanted mail, and request that your name and address be removed from their database. The TRW-NCAC “1-800” number is a good place to start.

5) Speak Up

Before giving your information to any company you are working with, make sure to take a second and see what their privacy policy is.  Ask them if they sell, rent or trade their client’s name or address. If they do, request that your information not be included in this practice, or take your business elsewhere.

6) Be Careful

There are many ways to protect your info and limit who gets their hands on it. Try some of the following:

• Don’t fill out warranty cards. You are covered regardless; these are means of gathering names for direct mailing lists.
• Leave your telephone number off your personal checks.
• Consider having an unlisted telephone number, some lists are created from the telephone book.
• Don’t give your telephone number at the cash register. More than likely that store will add you to their mailing list.

For more information on reducing your junk mail or to receive a complete list of companies you can contact to get your name removed from mailing lists, please call your local Department of Community Affairs.