38. Junk Mail

The Economics of Everyday Things

Why does the mailman bring us so many catalogs, credit card offers, and pizza coupons? Because his job depends on it. Zachary Crockett checks the mailbox.

• SOURCES:
  • Brett Chamberlin, program manager at Catalog Choice.
  • Aaron Gordon, journalist.
  • Mike Gunderson, president of Gunderson Direct.

• RESOURCES:
  • "U.S. Postal Service Reports Fiscal Year 2023 Results," by the U.S. Postal Service (2023).
  • "How We Ended Up With All This Junk Mail," by Aaron Gordon (Vice, 2020).
  • "Here Are the Data Brokers Quietly Buying and Selling Your Personal Information," by Steven Melendez and Alex Pasternack (Fast Company, 2019).
  • "How to Stop Junk Mail and Save Trees — and Your Sanity," by Elisabeth Leamy (The Washington Post, 2018).
  • "How The Post Office Sells Your Address Update To Anyone Who Pays (And The Little-Known Loophole To Opt Out)," by Adam Tanner (Forbes, 2013).
  • The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970.

• EXTRAS:
  • "Is It Worth It for Charities to Harass Their Donors?" by No Stupid Questions (2022).