Understanding Junk Mail & How to Stop It

With all of the beautiful organized pantries and closets that you see on Instagram and on TV, you might wonder if professional organizers can help you with the spectacularly unsexy work of getting paperwork in your home or office under control. I happen to be a pro organizer who loves, LOVES to set up a simple paperwork system for my cilents, along with an easy to execute plan for how to approach everything incoming. And the one things that never stops coming is junk mail.

Why Do We Get So Much Junk Mail?

We've all been there – you open your mailbox, expecting to find something exciting (what ever happened to cookie care packages?), only to be met with a sea of unsolicited flyers, catalogs, and credit card offers. Junk mail, also known as direct mail or advertising mail, is annoying and wasteful. Have you ever wondered why we get so much of it and what we can do to put a stop to this endless barrage of unwanted paper? Let’s explore the world of junk mail, uncover the reasons behind its persistence and provide you with actionable steps to reclaim your mailbox.

Marketing Strategies: One of the main reasons behind the flood of junk mail is that it's an effective marketing strategy. Companies send out mass mailings because, statistically, they do get results. I read in a recent Washington Post article that junk mail has four times the response rate of email marketing. I’m not sure if that is impressive or just means that most of us REALLY don’t open junk emails but marketing companies continue to do it because they feel that it works.

Data Brokers: Have you ever wonder how some companies seem to know your shopping habits or interests so well? Data brokers are the culprits. These businesses collect, aggregate, and sell your personal information to advertisers. This information is used to create targeted mailing lists, ensuring that the junk mail you receive is at least somewhat relevant to you. This still doesn’t explain why I have been getting the Frankenmuth Christmas Catalog for years, but okay.

Credit Offers: Credit card companies are notorious for sending out a never-ending stream of pre-approved credit card offers. I seem to get one every single day! These mailings are often based on your credit history and can be difficult to opt out of because they are generated by credit bureaus. I guess they think that your credit is so good, you must want to have as many cards as possible?

Political Campaigns: During election seasons, your mailbox can become a battleground for political campaigns. Candidates and parties send out campaign literature and donation requests to garner your support. Because I live in a politically uninteresting state for national elections, we get very few mailers, but local elections bring barrels full to our door. I can’t imagine how crazy it must get in battleground states.

Nonprofit Organizations: Charitable organizations also utilize direct mail as a fundraising tool. While their intentions are noble, it can still be overwhelming to receive numerous donation requests. I also feel conflicted about using their freebee return address labels when I know I won’t be contributing to that organization that year.

What Can We Do About Junk Mail?

Do these signs really work?

If you have ever tried to stop all junk mail before, you know that it can feel like it is next to impossible. While it is very difficult to stop ALL junk mail, there are a few things that you can do that are free or low cost that can significantly lower the amount that you receive.

Register with DMAChoice: The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) offers a service called DMAChoice, which allows you to opt out of various categories of junk mail, including catalogs, magazines, credit offers, and more. By registering with DMAChoice online or by mail, you
can significantly reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive. Small flat fee. www.dmachoice.org

Use PaperKarma: PaperKarma is a mobile app that simplifies the process of reducing junk mail. Simply take a photo of the unwanted mail, and PaperKarma will contact the sender and request that they remove you from their mailing list. It's a convenient way to combat junk mail right from your smartphone. $4/month. www.paperkarma.com

Catalog Choice: Catalog Choice is a valuable service that can help folks in their quest to reduce the influx of unwanted catalogs and junk mail. I love that it’s a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers regain control over their mailbox and reduce the environmental impact of excessive paper waste. Free. www.catalogchoice.org.

Opt-Out of Credit Offers: To stop those never-ending credit card offers, you can opt-out through the official website or by calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT. This prevents credit reporting agencies from sharing your credit information for promotional purposes. You can also opt your minor aged children out until they are 18 years old. I did this when my son was a baby and it only took a few minutes. Free. www.optoutprescreen.com

Contact Specific Companies: It’s the most time consuming option, but if you receive junk mail from specific companies or nonprofits, contact them directly and ask to be removed from their mailing list. Most reputable organizations will honor your request.

Support Legislation: Support initiatives and legislation aimed at reducing junk mail at the local, state, and federal levels. Encourage your representatives to consider policies that prioritize reducing environmental waste caused by junk mail.

Junk mail may be a persistent nuisance, but it's not invincible. By understanding the reasons behind its prevalence and taking proactive steps to reduce it, you can regain control over your mailbox and reduce environmental waste. Whether you choose to register with DMAChoice, use apps like PaperKarma, or directly contact senders, every action you take makes a difference. Together, we can tame the paper monster and enjoy a mailbox filled with more of what we actually want, cookies! xo Melissa