How to Stop Mail for Previous Residents

Thirty-six percent of landfill space belongs to waste paper. You can reduce the amount of paper you throw out by stopping the delivery of mail addressed to former residents.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pens
• Stationery

1. Send a letter to DMA Mail Preference Service to stop the delivery of bulk mail that is addressed to "current resident" or to the person previously living at your address.

2. Mail your letter to P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008. In the body of the letter write, "Please activate the mail preference service." Include the name, address and ZIP code of the previous resident.

3. Post separate letters or postcards to DMA for each previous resident you are receiving mail for.

4. Fill out a change of address card with the post office for previous residents if you are receiving first-class mail addressed to them. On the change of address card write, "Moved, left no forwarding address."

5. Give your name and write on the form, "Form filled in by current resident of house, (your name), agent for the above." Once your postal carrier receives the form, it will more than likely enter the information into a National Change of Address database run by the post office.