Unwanted promotional mail and unsolicited phone books add clutter to your home and contribute to unnecessary paper waste. Stopping mail and phonebook deliveries before they arrive reduces waste and keeps your mailbox streamlined.
How to stop junk mail
Remove your name from mailing lists
- Direct mail opt-out: Visit DirectMail.com to register your address with national direct mail registries to reduce unsolicited mail.
- Catalog opt-out: Visit CatalogChoice.org or contact catalog senders directly to request removal from their mailing lists.
Tip: Reducing how often you share your name and address online or with retailers helps prevent your information from being traded or sold to mailing list companies — a key step in reducing junk mail overall.
Opt-out of unwanted phonebooks
San Francisco residents receive millions of unsolicited phonebook directories every year. Until automatic delivery is restricted by ordinance, you can opt out of phonebook delivery using the official opt-out tool.
Why this matters
- Environmental impact: Paper production and disposal use trees, water, and energy, and contribute to waste streams. Reducing unwanted mail helps conserve natural resources and supports zero waste goals.
- Less clutter: Removing yourself from junk mail lists means fewer unwanted items in your home and less sorting or recycling later.
