Start a mail sort using envelope information
Much advertising mail identifies itself on the outside. Sorting by the envelope alone is quick, and it keeps you from opening mail that may not be yours or may not be advertising.
Sorting by what the outside tells you
- Lay your mail out and read the outside of each piece: the return address, any promotional wording, and the name the piece is addressed to.
- Set aside anything addressed to another person, anything that looks like a bill, notice, or financial statement, and anything you are unsure about.
- Group the clear advertising pieces by sender so you can choose which ones to photograph and submit.
- Leave the uncertain pile alone until you can go through it carefully. Do not throw away or act on pieces that might be important.
When the outside is not enough
Some mailers arrive in plain envelopes with no brand name, so you cannot tell who sent them without opening. If you cannot tell whether a piece is advertising, do not photograph it. A photo without a clear sender name is unlikely to be useful, and mail you are not sure about is better kept out of the process.
What to do with the advertising pile
Photograph the senders you want to stop one mailer at a time. For an overview of the options, see the main junk mail guide.
Instructions for the next step
Have an unwanted advertisement ready?
Photograph one piece you are authorized to handle, with the sender and full mailing label visible. Review the details before submitting. The first request is free; the sender controls the response.
Try one request free