Denver, CO. If you are tired of receiving solicitations for credit cards, opportunities for home equity loans, fundraising requests and other unwanted mail, there are several services that can be of assistance. Junk mail not only uses many of our natural resources, but is costly and often easily misunderstood by older adults.

To have your name removed from mailing lists for credit cards, home mortgages, and other credit offers from across the country follow these two simple steps:

1.Call toll free 1-888-567-8688 to have your name removed (for two years, or permanently) from mailing lists used for credit offers. You will be asked for your name, address, telephone, and social security number. This service requests the major companies that track credit reports to not submit your name to credit card companies and other financial companies when they purchase lists for potential new enrollees.

2. Order Denver Recycles' "Stamp Out Unwanted Mail" Kit by calling 303-640-1678, and leave your name, address, zip code and phone number. When you receive it, put your name, address, and a stamp on each of the pre-addressed cards enclosed in this kit and mail them off.

Other tips to reduce unwanted mail include the following:

1. Request that catalogs be sent to you only annually or semi-annually.

2. When giving your name and address to a business or organization, include a note saying: "please do not share my name and address."

3. Return unopened unwanted mail that was sent first class by writing "refused" on it.

4. If you can find a postage paid envelope in the unwanted mail, put the mail in it and write on the outside of the envelope "refused".

5. Use the business' toll-free number, reply card or order envelope to remove your name from a specific list.