Did you know you can actually return junk mail to the sender? Those envelopes are usually marked with "No Postage Necessary if Mailed in the United States" -- which means you can return the mail for free. Below we explain how Business Reply Mail (BRM) works and how you can use it to your advantage.
How Business Reply Mail Works
- The company who sent the mail only pays when the envelope is physically returned -- nothing if you throw it away
- The average cost to the business: $0.70 to $1.20 per returned envelope[1]
- In order to make the company pay, it must adhere to USPS regulations (more on that below)
- You can return it empty -- but it's best to also let them know to remove you from their marketing outreach
- Stuffing the envelope with their own materials stays within normal weight limits
Legal beagle stuff: In order for the BRM letter to be sent and delivered, the envelopes must be used for their "intended purpose." Some people have had success taping heavy objects to them to make the company pay more. But violating postal regulations may result in the letter being discarded as non-mailable.[1] The right play: stuff it with the junk they sent you and include your written opt-out request.
The Right Way to Return Junk Mail -- Step by Step
- Locate the prepaid BRM envelope in the mailer -- it will say "No Postage Necessary" or "Business Reply Mail"
- Remove or black out any personal information you don't want to return
- Fold the rest of the junk mail they sent and place it inside the envelope
- Add a written note: "Please permanently remove me from your mailing list"
- Seal it and drop in any USPS mailbox -- the company pays on delivery
Rather than just returning the junk mail and making them pay, including a written opt-out request significantly increases the chance the company processes your removal. You're filing an opt-out AND costing them money simultaneously -- maximum efficiency. If you'd prefer a ready-made template, use our Letter Generator to create one in seconds.
The "Return to Sender" Myth
Writing "Return to Sender" on a piece of junk mail will not route it back to the sender. USPS only returns mail carrying specific endorsements -- "Address Service Requested," "Return Service Requested," or similar. Most bulk marketing mail carries no such marking and will simply be discarded by USPS.[2]
Will This Actually Stop the Mail?
Sadly, returning the envelope on its own does not necessarily guarantee removal. That said, combining the BRM with your written opt-out request is genuinely effective. Companies do pay attention when the same address keeps sending their envelopes back. Plus, every time you return the mail, it forces them to pay -- so there's a bit of justice in it too.
For permanent large-scale results -- opting out of junk mail on a bigger scale -- check out our free opt-out kit.