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January 8, 2026
How to Stop Junk Mail and Reduce Paper Clutter
How to Stop Junk Mail and Reduce Paper Clutter
Getting organized doesn’t always start with bins or closets. Sometimes it starts by stopping unnecessary paper and digital clutter before it enters your home.
Use these resources to reduce junk mail, catalogs, credit offers, telemarketing calls and email overload—so staying organized becomes easier and more sustainable.
Reduce Physical Junk Mail and Catalogs
Reduce Physical Junk Mail and Catalogs
• DMAchoice
https://www.dmachoice.org
Removes your name from many national junk mail lists.
($8 processing fee for a 10-year registration.)
• Catalog Choice
https://www.catalogchoice.org
Stop unwanted catalogs from specific retailers.
• Valpak Address Removal
https://www.valpak.com/remove-address
Stop receiving Valpak coupon envelopes.
• Contact the sender directly
Retailers, charities and other organizations will often remove you from their mailing lists when asked. Keep the mailing label nearby because they may request information printed on it.
DMAchoice and Catalog Choice remain active, though it can take time for companies to process removal requests.
Stop Credit Card and Insurance Offers
Stop Credit Card and Insurance Offers
OptOutPrescreen
optoutprescreen.com
Use the official OptOutPrescreen website to reduce prescreened credit card and insurance offers generated through the major consumer credit reporting companies.
You can opt out electronically for five years. A permanent opt-out is also available, but you must print, sign and mail the provided form to complete it.
Reduce Telemarketing Calls
Reduce Telemarketing Calls
National Do Not Call Registry
donotcall.gov
Register your home or mobile number for free to reduce calls from legitimate telemarketers. Registration will not stop every unwanted call, particularly scams or organizations that are exempt from the registry, but it can reduce the overall volume.
The registry is free and accepts both home and mobile numbers.
Manage Digital Junk Mail
Manage Digital Junk Mail
Email clutter can accumulate just as quickly as paper. Start with the subscription tools already available in your email account.
Gmail: Open a promotional email and select Unsubscribe beside the sender’s name. Some Gmail accounts also include a Manage subscriptions area that displays active mailing lists in one place.
Outlook.com: Go to Settings → Mail → Subscriptions to review mailing lists, unsubscribe or block a sender.
You can also create filters that move recurring messages into a separate folder or automatically delete messages you no longer need.
Third-party inbox-cleanup services are available, but review their pricing, privacy policies and requested account permissions before connecting one to your email.
A Simple Way to Begin
A Simple Way to Begin
Pick one category—not all four—and take one action today. Keep the next unwanted catalog or offer
nearby until you have submitted the opt-out request. Most changes take time to appear, so give the
process several weeks before deciding it did not work.
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