North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance ( DPPEA) has a Junk Mail Terminator Kit. available online.

Contact the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) Mail Preference Service to get off their mailing list. DMA is the oldest and largest trade association for the users and suppliers in the direct, database and interactive marketing field. Sending a request to DMA to have your name and address removed from their mailing list can significantly reduce your junk mail load. You may also register for MPS by mailing a written request including your name, complete home address, telephone number and signature to:
Direct Marketing Association
Mail Preference Service,
P.O.Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008
Phone: (212) 768-7277 

Contact the major credit bureaus to request your name to be removed from mailing lists for pre-approved credit cards. The major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, Inc., Innovis, and Trans Union Corp. can be reached at one telephone number:
888-567-8688.  Listen carefully for the directions, there are two options, one option opts you out for 5 years, the other option is to opt out permanently. If you want out permanently, they mail you a card to fill out then mail back to them. It's worth the time to fill out and mail back.

Want to win the battle of receiving sweepstakes mailers? Contact the national companies below to remove your information from mailing lists.
Publishers Clearinghouse,
101 Channel Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Phone: (800) 645-9242
Readers Digest
Readers Digest Road
Pleasantville, NY 10570
Phone: (800) 234-9000

Fill in and return opt-out privacy cards from financial organizations. Financial organizations are now required to provide customers with opt-out privacy cards so you can request that your name be removed from their bulk mailing lists.

Call those "800" numbers provided on catalogs and other bulk mailings to request your name to be removed from mailing lists. This can be very effective.

Avoid giving your name, address, phone number and e-mail address to businesses if possible. They may use the information to put you on another mailing list and will oftentimes sell it to other bulk mailers.

Telephone books. If you are listed in the White Pages of the telephone book, your name, address and phone number are public record. Mailing list companies collect this information and sell it to mail order companies and marketing firms. Consider an unlisted number or request that the telephone company publish your name and number, omitting your address for the telephone book and the electronic phone book.

If and when you receive the "you have been pre-approved" credit card applications through the mail, usually they have a self addressed stamped envelope included. Write "No Junk Mail, remove my name" on the letter that accompanies it and then stuff all the contents they mailed you back in their reply envelope (include the original envelop they mailed to you in it also).

Most junk mail is recyclable, so if you still receive some after opting out, recycle it!

Many people are concerned about junk mail and possible identity theft. Click this federal government website for more information on preventing theft.