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Stop Junk Mail

by Jane Bogner

Sunday, March 26, 2006

It seems that I just wrote about stopping junk mail, but I checked the archives for this column and haven’t given my readers an update since 2003.

I do like my mail (except for bills) and have the greatest mail deliverer in Vallejo. Some days we don’t get any mail, but I know that the mailman came by since he picked up our outgoing letters.

Last year, the United States Postal Service delivered 212 billion pieces of mail to over 144 Million homes, businesses and Post Office boxes. On their web site, the Cable & Telecommunications Association reported that 70 percent of consumers preferred to receive advertisements and promotions via the U.S. Mail.

Each year, the production of 62 billion pieces of junk mail uses 100 million trees and 28 billion gallons of water. It is estimated that the average household receives 100 pounds of junk mail a year of which 44 percent is thrown away unopened. Only 22 percent of junk mail is recycled.

When you add cardboard, newspaper and office paper to the mix, California is faced with the challenge of managing nearly 14 million tons of paper each year.

Reducing your junk mail takes diligence but it does pay off. It is important for you to reduce the access to your name & address so that it won’t be traded or sold.

1.    When you buy from catalogs (online or by phone) tell the company not to sell your name or send promotional mail.

2.    When you receive unwanted catalogs or junk mail, contact the company to tell them to take your name off their list. Keep your mailing label information ready to speed the process.

3.    Request that your name be removed from future mailing lists by sending a dated postcard to the following address. Remember to send all versions of your name including misspelled names.  To long time readers to my column, this is a new address.

Mail Preference Service

Direct Marketing Association

PO Box 643

Carmel, NY 10512

 4.    If a solicitation comes with a postage-paid return envelope, write a note on their form to remove your name from their list and let them pay the return postage.

 5.    Eliminate duplicate mailings. Return all versions of the labels that you want stopped along with the one you want continued.

 6.    First Class mail can be sent back; just cross out the address and write (I can hear Elvis singing) “Refused: Return to Sender.” Some bulk mail can be returned if “Address Correction Requested” is on the envelope.

 7.    When you renew or cancel subscriptions or memberships, do it as soon as possible to avoid getting additional reminders.

 8.    Think twice about sending in warranty cards. Your dated receipt is usually enough to satisfy the warranty. Write boldly on the card that you do not want any junk mail. Keep in mind that companies sometimes use these warranty cards to notify you when their products are recalled.

All of these processes are not immediate, but you should see a reduction in about 90 days.

For more information about stopping junk mail, visit these sites: www.stopjunkmail.org. (for a Stop Junk Mail kit), www.junkbusters.com (an international site), or www.dmaconsumers.org (for mail, telemarketing, and commercial e-mail lists).

EARTH DAY APRIL 22

Vallejo will celebrate Earth Day at Farmers’ Market in downtown Vallejo. The deadline for registration is April 5. If your group would like to participate, please contact VALCORE at 645-8258 or register on our web site.

Earth Day events around Solano County are listed on www.recycle-guide.com.

VALCORE Recycling President Jane Bogner's "A Sorted Affair" is published every other week in the Times-Herald. For recycling information call VALCORE Recycling at 645-8258 or visit www.VALCORErecycling.org   .

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