Stop junk mail.

Consider these statistics from ecocycle.org:

* Each year, junk mail destroys 80 million trees and wastes 28 billion gallons of water.
* That amount of junk mail averages out to 34 pounds a year for each woman, man and child in the US.
* We spend an average of 8 months of our lives dealing with junk mail.

Had enough? Put a stop to junk mail by following the seven suggestions for junk mail reduction. You'll need to visit the ecocycle.org for complete instructions, but here are some highlights:

* Whenever you request to be added or deleted from a mailing list, add these words "Please do not rent, sell or trade my name or address."

* Use Form 1500 (PDF) from the US Postal Service to stop unwanted mail. According to ecocycle, "this form was originally intended to block unwanted pornographic mail, but in 1970 the Supreme Court extended its purpose. The form can now be used to stop any unwanted mail."

* Call 1-888-567-8688 (1-888-5OPT-OUT) to end credit card solicitations. You can ask for a special form to ensure permanent removal.

* Contact the Direct Marketers Association at

Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
Tel: 1- 212-768-7277
www.dmaconsumers.org

They are the largest list broker in the US, and they sell your name and address to those wanting to target you for their product. Ask them to remove your name from their lists. Be sure to include all variations of your name.

* Ask to receive notices by email instead of by postal mail. This reduces paper waste and saves everyone money (except perhaps the USPS).

Don't waste your time, and our energy, money and resources on mail you don't read, don't want, and don't need.