So you just moved into a new apartment and you’re already receiving loads of unwanted mail? Unfortunately, no matter what steps you take to eliminate the problem, you’ll probably never be 100% free of junk mail.

But with 17 billion catalogs being sent to Americans each year – that’s 3.5 million tons of paper made from 60 million trees (and that’s just the catalogs) – any bit of action will help.

There is no one-stop-shop to eliminate junk mail, but here are some ideas to get your started. 1) Sign up with one of these companies that can help stop unwanted mail

www.StopTheJunkMail.com

Membership: 19.95/ year and they plant one tree on you behalf

www.Greendimes.com

Membership: $20/ year and they plant ten trees on your behalf

www.ProQuo.com

Membership: Free

www.41pounds.com

Membership: $41 for 5 years and 1/3 of the fee goes to environmental non-profits and they also plant trees on your behalf

www.CatalogChoice.org

Membership: Free (does not include the pre-addressed postcard services that the other paid services offer)2) Remove your name from individual DMA member mailing lists and other direct mailing companies

Make sure you provide all variations of your address and name

DMA

Complete this form and the DMA will ask the specified direct mailers to remove you from their list..

R.L. Polk & Company

1-800-873-7655

Record your name and address to request that Equifax not share your information with other parties.

Val-Pak Coupons

You can request to be removed from sweepstakes and ValPak coupon mailings here. If you want the coupons you can print the ones you want by visiting ValPak online.

ADVO

Complete this form to request removal

Donnelly Marketing

Database Operations

416 S. Bell Avenue, Ames, IA 50010

Send a letter with all the variations of your name and address asking to suppress your name from their lists.

Abacus

optout@abacus-us.com

Send an email with “remove” in the subject line and your name and address in the message.3) Remove your name from pre-screened credit offers

Complete the form at www.optoutprescreen.com to reduce the number of pre-screened credit offers you receive.4) Contact companies directly and ask them to stop mailing you 5) Avoid getting on even more mailing lists

Add this phrase to any form you fill out where you include you name and address (warranties, subscriptions, raffles, memberships): “Please do not rent, sell, or trade my name or address.”

For more ideas on how to keep your apartment green, check out the hubbuzz.com neighborhood blogs.

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