Junk mail & phone books

Reworking your waste stream > Reducing your waste production > Junk mail & phone books

Junk mail creates a production-to-waste pipeline within your own household.

Services are available that allow you to tailor what mail you receive in your mailbox. Put an end to unwanted ads, junk mail, phone books and more – for your own sanity and the health of our environment.

Benefits

Affordable

Though some services have a small processing fee, signing up to stop receiving junk mail and phone books is nearly free.

Passive

Once you’ve opted out of junk mail and phone books, you don’t have to think about it again.

Convenient

Not only is it better for the planet, there’s one less thing to organize and keep clean in your household.

More information

The FTC’s recommendations

All tips on this page come directly from a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) page on how to stop receiving junk mail; if you’re worried about providing particular information on a form, visit the page above for added confidence.

Marketing mail and ads / mail to deceased or dependent

Whether you’re looking to opt out of weekly ads or stop receiving mail for your child who has since moved, the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) has a site for you. Visit the website DMAchoice.org (linked below) to avoids ads and tailor your mailbox for a small processing fee of $2.

Pre-screened offers

You have to use a different site to opt out of pre-screened offers, such as offers for credit cards and loans. The website OptOutPrescreen.org (also linked below) is ran by the major credit bureaus; it allows you to opt out in five year periods through the online form, or to opt-out permanently after returning a slip you’ll receive in the mail after completing the online form.

Opting out of phone books

By going to the website linked below (YellowPages Opt Out), you can enter your zip code and see what directories are delivered in your area each year. You can then register for an account (they need your address), and select which phone books you do or don’t want to receive.

Don’t worry – you can always opt back in if you find yourself in a place where you would like to receive a phone book at some point in the future.