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Department of Streets Refuse Division Recycling Program |
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Department of Streets Refuse Division Recycling Program |
Is unwanted mail a problem in the United States? Let's do the math.
Shipped: 5.56 million tonsSource: Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1999 Facts and Figures,
U.S. EPA (2001)
Households can significantly reduce their advertising mail by registering with the Direct Marketing Association's free Mail Preference Service. It's easy to do, and you'll be reaching some of the biggest direct marketers in the country with a single letter.
Download, print and mail this form.
Direct Marketing Association flyer (PDF)
Or, send a postcard with your name and address to:
Mail Preference ServiceFor a small fee, you can register online at http://www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglistdave.
To learn more, call the DMA at 212-768-7277 or go to www.dmaconsumers.org.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Pre-approved credit card offers piling up?
The nation's major consumer credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, Innovis and Trans Union, established a toll-free number to get off lists for pre-approved credit card solicitations. The recording will ask for your social security number, full name, address and telephone number. The service allows you to opt out for two years or permanently. No matter what you pick, you can "opt back in" at any time by calling this same number.
1-888-5-OPTOUT
(1-888-567-8688)
According to Money Magazine, nearly 3 billion credit card solicitations are sent to consumers every year!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Not all companies use these national systems to purge their mailing lists. If you are still getting "junk" from persistent mailers, you can contact the company directly and ask to be placed in their "do-not-mail file." Look at the mail piece to see if there's a number to call, or write them a note, send them an e-mail, or use their website. Here are a few thoughts on what to say and do.
Sample language: "Please remove my name from your marketing database. In addition, please do not pass along my name to others through mail list sales or trades. Thank-you for your cooperation."
Be polite. Most mailers will make an effort to comply with your request. They get to improve their database and ultimately reduce their costs. Even if you are frustrated, you're probably just taking it out on a phone operator or staff person. If you don't get results, you can consider stronger language, or contacting company management.
Be prepared. Have the mailing label or catalog handy. Give them the exact match for your name and address. They might appreciate customer ID numbers or other internal identifiers. Be patient. It may take some time to get your name and address out of their mailing cycle. Be persistent. Keep trying. Drive home the message that your privacy is an important part of customer service. You do have the right to be left alone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Experian 1-800-228-4571 x4633
Wait through a long message about other options before leaving your name, address and phone number for opting out of Experian's compiled databases.
Polk Company 1-800-464-7655
Ask for the "Polk Opt-out Line"
These national advertisers compile and maintain large databases of customers nationwide, often for mailing coupons or local, weekly circulars. These materials are generally printed well in advance of mailing, so expect a delay of 6-8 weeks for this opt-out to take effect.
Mailbox Values, ShopWi$e (ADVO, Inc.) 1-888-241-6760
An attendant will ask you to leave the full mailing address (don't forget the apartment number), city and zip code.
Or, send your mailing label or coupon envelope, marked "Delete" to:
ADVO Systems
Val-Pak (Cox Target Media) 1-888-797-1896Your address will remain in their suppression file for a period of two years.
Donelly Marketing 1-888--633-4402
Send a letter, including your name, street address, city, state and zip code, to:
America OnLine (AOL) 1-888-265-8003
Call to stop receiving AOL CDs.
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since Aug 11, 2005.
This Page Last Modified: 11/19/07
