The opinion piece titled "Make it easy to end flood of junk mail" (Steven Krieger and George DeWolf, Monitor Forum, Jan. 11) contains a number of inaccurate, misleading and misinformed statements that need to be addressed and corrected.

Primary among them is the fact that consumers have several options to help manage the amount and type of mail that enters their home. And, they're all free:

• Limit the catalogs they receive by contacting the company directly, either online or by phone.

• Temporarily halt advertising mail through the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service, the-dma.org.

• Stop catalogs at optout@abacus-us.com.

• Stop unwanted credit card solicitations at optoutprescreen.org.

Krieger and DeWolf cite a GAO report I'm not familiar with that they says is critical of the Postal Service.

I am aware of a 2007 GAO report that credits the Postal Service with "significant progress" in the areas of controlling costs, maintaining service and optimizing operations and workforce utilization.

Please don't be mistaken. The economic impact of limiting or removing advertising mail is substantial. The $900 billion mailing industry contributes significantly to the health of the economy by employing 9 million Americans in businesses such as paper manufacturing, printing and catalog sales.

In 2006, advertising mail brought more than $3.8 billion in increased sales to New Hampshire's economy and played a critical role in the success of New Hampshire businesses, large and small.

It's also important to understand that according to the nation's environmental watchdog, the Environmental Protection Agency, only 2.4 percent of materials found in landfills across the country is attributed to advertising mail.

The Postal Service is the only shipping and mailing company in the country to achieve Cradle to Cradle Certification for human and environmental health. Cradle to Cradle is a scientifically based process that reviews specific criteria to assess the environmental attributes of materials used in products.

Based on the recycled content of the more than 500 million Express Mail and Priority Mail packages and envelopes the Postal Service provides free to its customers each year, more than 15,000 metric tons of carbon equivalent emissions (climate change gases) now will be prevented annually. Express Mail and Priority Mail boxes and envelopes also are 100 percent recyclable.

Mail serves as a reliable commercial and personal communications medium, enabling the exchange of ideas, a foundation of our democracy. Mail binds communities and supports local commerce.

The Postal Service is committed to universal service at affordable prices and providing consumers and businesses with convenient access and choices to manage their mail. By adapting to the changing lifestyles of Americans and embracing new technologies, USPS is ensuring that mail remains relevant, safe and private - and continues to provide value for generations to come.

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