Reducing Your Commercial Mail

Commercial mail or “junk mail,” can be a big problem for residents. 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.”

More than 100 billion pieces of commercial mail are delivered each year in the U.S. In fact, commercial mail in the U.S. accounts for one-third of all the mail delivered in the world.

Annoyed by the commercial mail over-flowing from your mailbox? You can take simple steps to remove your name and address from common commercial mailing lists:

1. Get Moving

• Mail Preference Service Direct Marketing Association – Send a letter and ask to “activate the preference service.” Make sure to include your name (all variations) and full address. This also takes care of bulk mail addressed to “current resident.” Address: P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, N.Y. 11735
• TRW-NCAC Target Marketing Services - Remove your name from this service’s marketing file via letter: 701 TRW Parkway, Allen, Texas 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 its list. Contact the Director of List Maintenance: 239 West Service Rd., Hartford, Conn. 06120-1280.
• National Demographics and Lifestyles List Order Service – Request to have your name removed from its mailing list. Address: 1621 18th Street #300, Denver, Colo. 80202.
• Haines and Company, Inc. Criss-Cross Directory – Write a letter and request to have your name removed from the reverse phone book publication. Address: 2382 East Walnut Ave., Fullerton, Calif. 92631.
• Donnelly Marketing Database Operations – Write a letter and request your name to be suppressed in its files. Include your name, street address, city, state and ZIP code. Address: 416 South Bell, Ames, Iowa, 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 first class 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 number. Call 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, check its privacy policy. Ask if it sells, rents or trades its clients’ name or address. If so, request that your information not be included in this practice.

6. Be Careful

There are many ways to protect your info and limit the hands it ends up in. 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 as some lists are generated from the telephone book.
• Don’t give your telephone number at the cash register. More than likely, that store will add you to its mailing list.

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