
Junk mail can be a persistent nuisance, cluttering your mailbox with unwanted advertisements, credit offers, and promotional materials. Not only is it wasteful, but it also consumes time and contributes to environmental damage. If you're wondering how to stop receiving junk mail, there are several effective strategies to reduce or eliminate it altogether.
Why You Receive Junk Mail
USPS delivers mail from various sources, including:
- Retailers sending catalogs and promotions
- Credit card companies offering pre-approved deals
- Insurance firms promoting policies
- Local businesses advertising services
- Charities requesting donations
While some of this mail may be relevant, most of it is unnecessary. Fortunately, you can take control and stop receiving junk mail by following the steps below.
Step-by-Step Guide to Stopping Junk Mail
1. Opt Out of Pre-Screened Credit and Insurance Offers
A major source of junk mail is pre-approved credit card and insurance offers. You can opt out by:
- Visiting OptOutPrescreen.com
- Calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688)
You can choose to opt out for five years or permanently.
2. Register with DMAchoice
The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) offers a service called DMAchoice, allowing you to remove your name from national mailing lists. To register:
- Visit DMAchoice.org
- Pay a small processing fee to opt out for 10 years
This will significantly reduce the amount of direct mail you receive from marketers and advertisers.
3. Stop Unwanted Catalogs and Retail Mailers
If you receive too many catalogs and retail promotions, opt out through:
- CatalogChoice.org – A free service that helps remove you from catalog mailing lists.
- Contacting companies directly – Many retailers allow you to opt out by calling customer service or updating preferences online.
4. Use USPS Informed Delivery
USPS offers Informed Delivery, a free service that allows you to digitally preview incoming mail. If you see junk mail, you can:
- Mark it as unwanted and report it
- Use it as a reference when opting out of specific mailings
Sign up at USPS Informed Delivery.
5. Return Junk Mail to Sender
For mail labeled “Return Service Requested,” “Address Service Requested,” or “Forwarding Service Requested”, you can:
- Write “Refused – Return to Sender” on the envelope
- Drop it back in your mailbox or hand it to a postal worker
This notifies the sender that you no longer wish to receive their mail.
6. Contact USPS Directly
If you continue receiving excessive junk mail, you can ask USPS to reduce bulk mail by:
- Calling your local post office and requesting a stop to certain types of mail
- Visiting the USPS website to adjust mailing preferences
7. Use PostGhost to Automate Junk Mail Removal
For a hassle-free solution, PostGhost is a powerful tool that helps stop receiving junk mail by:
- Contacting companies on your behalf to remove your details from mailing lists
- Suppressing your name from direct mail databases
- Stopping catalogs, credit offers, charity solicitations, and more
With PostGhost, you don’t have to manually opt out from multiple sources—it does the work for you.
Why Reducing Junk Mail Matters
Stopping junk mail has several benefits:
- Saves Time – No more sorting through piles of unwanted mail.
- Protects Privacy – Reduces the risk of identity theft from discarded credit offers.
- Helps the Environment – Less paper waste means fewer trees cut down for mail you don’t even want.
The Environmental Impact of Junk Mail
Junk mail contributes significantly to paper waste, energy consumption, and pollution. Each year, millions of trees are cut down to produce junk mail that often ends up in landfills. By reducing your junk mail, you’re taking a step toward a more sustainable future.
Final Thoughts
Junk mail doesn’t have to be an unavoidable hassle. By using opt-out services, returning unwanted mail, and leveraging solutions like PostGhost, you can significantly reduce the amount of junk mail you receive. Take control of your mailbox today and enjoy a cleaner, more organized mail experience!