You Cannot Unsubscribe from Your Own Government's Advertising Mail
The USPS delivers billions of pieces of unsolicited advertising directly to your mailbox every year—and federal law says you have no right to stop it.
What is EDDM?
Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a USPS program that allows businesses to send advertising mail to every address in a postal route—without needing names or addresses. You know it as the mail marked "ECRWSS" or "Postal Customer."
Unlike addressed mail, EDDM cannot be refused or returned. The USPS considers it "unaddressed mail" and delivers it regardless of your preferences. There is no Do Not Mail registry, no opt-out form, and no legal recourse.
Learn how EDDM works
The True Cost of Junk Mail
Every year, junk mail causes immense environmental damage, costs taxpayers millions, and enables billions in fraud against seniors.
Trees destroyed each year to produce junk mail in the US
Source: Center for Development of Recycling
Annual greenhouse gas emissions from junk mail production and disposal
Source: VoLo Foundation
Annual cost to taxpayers for disposing of junk mail
Source: Multiple municipal studies
Percentage of junk mail discarded without being read
Source: EPA
Annual losses to seniors from mail-based fraud schemes
Source: FBI
Water consumed annually in junk mail production
Source: ForestEthics
What People Are Saying
Real comments from petition signers across America who are fed up with unwanted junk mail they cannot stop.
This issue and the surrounding practice of unsolicited mailing upheld by the US postal service represents a major misallocation of our Nation's resources. Our forestry resources, petroleum resources, and the time of citizens who must sort through this daily deluge of unwanted paper.
Carson
Austin, TX
It is beyond absurd that we are now FORCED by bully tactics to accept this ocean of unwanted junk mail. I live in an apartment and because six years ago the previous tenant ordered a service, I get weekly ads stuffed in my mailbox that I cannot stop.
Donna
Schenectady, NY
I have a mountain of paperwork, and most of it is advertising mail. I shouldn't have to pay a 3rd party service to 'reduce' the advertising mail I receive. Most people throw away this mail without reading it—what a waste of resources!
Kyle
Kansas City, MO
My mailbox is a local community type box. It is small and a few blocks away from my house so I do not check it every day. It has gotten overfilled and they took all the mail out and I had to go pick it up at the post office.
Donna
Saint Joseph, MO
EDDM unsolicited mail wastes my time and hurts the environment. I do not want this mail. I should have the right to opt out of it.
Don
Olympia, WA
It's all trash, trash, TRASH! Maybe if we all do our part and send the right people these messages, they'll realize the hassle of having to retrieve, sort, just to transfer such junk to the trash receptacle.
Judge
Chicago, IL
Why Can't You Opt Out?
Federal Mailbox Monopoly
Federal law (18 U.S.C. 1725) gives the USPS exclusive access to your mailbox. While you own the box, only the Postal Service can use it—and they can put anything they want inside.
"Postal Customer" Loophole
EDDM mail isn't addressed to you by name—it's addressed to "Postal Customer." Since it's not technically "your" mail, you can't refuse or return it.
USPS Revenue Dependency
The USPS earns billions annually from advertising mail. Creating an opt-out would directly reduce their revenue—so they have no incentive to offer one.
No Consumer Protection Law
Unlike email (CAN-SPAM) and phone calls (Do Not Call), there is no federal law requiring postal advertisers to honor opt-out requests.
Help Us Reach 10,000 Signatures
Join thousands demanding the right to opt out of USPS advertising mail. Every signature brings us closer to change.
Sign the Petition NowOpens Change.org in a new tab
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a "No Junk Mail" sign on my mailbox?
You can, but it has no legal effect. USPS carriers are instructed to deliver EDDM mail regardless of any signs or stickers on the mailbox.
What about the DMAchoice mail preference service?
DMAchoice only works for addressed mail from participating companies. It has zero effect on EDDM or any other saturation mail programs.
Do other countries allow people to opt out?
Yes. Many European countries, including the Netherlands and Germany, have opt-in systems where you only receive advertising mail if you explicitly request it.