Have you ever received a package or letter that was addressed to someone who no longer lives at your address? Maybe it was a previous tenant or a former owner of the property. In these cases, the mail is considered "dead" and cannot be delivered to the intended recipient.
So, what happens to this dead mail? It is sent to a recovery center, where postal workers attempt to find the correct recipient or return the mail to the sender.
What is a Recovery Center?
A recovery center, also known as a Mail Recovery Center (MRC), is a facility operated by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that handles undeliverable and dead mail.
The USPS processes billions of pieces of mail each year, and it's inevitable that some of it will end up undeliverable. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as an incomplete address, a change of address, or the recipient refusing the mail.
When mail cannot be delivered, it is sent to the nearest MRC, where postal workers attempt to identify the intended recipient or return the mail to the sender.
What Happens at a Recovery Center?
At a recovery center, postal workers sort through undeliverable and dead mail to determine the best course of action.
If the mail can be identified, the recovery center will attempt to deliver it to the intended recipient. This can be a time-consuming process, as the recovery center may need to contact the sender or conduct research to locate the recipient.
If the mail cannot be delivered, it will be returned to the sender (if a return address is provided) or sent to auction. The USPS holds auctions throughout the year to sell undeliverable mail and packages, with the proceeds going back to the agency.
Why Does Dead Mail Matter?
Dead mail may seem like a minor issue, but it can have significant financial implications for the USPS.
Undeliverable mail and packages cost the USPS millions of dollars each year in processing and storage fees. By sending this mail to a recovery center, the USPS is able to recoup some of those costs by either delivering the mail or selling it at auction.
How Can You Prevent Dead Mail?
If you want to prevent dead mail from being sent to a recovery center, there are a few steps you can take.
First, make sure that all of your mail is addressed correctly and includes your full name and complete address. If you move, be sure to file a change of address form with the USPS to ensure that your mail is forwarded to your new address.
If you receive mail that is not addressed to you, do not simply throw it away. Instead, write "return to sender" on the envelope and place it back in the mailbox. This will ensure that the mail is returned to the sender and not sent to a recovery center.
Conclusion
Dead mail may seem like a small issue, but it can have significant financial implications for the USPS. By sending this mail to a recovery center, the USPS is able to recoup some of the costs associated with undeliverable mail and packages. If you want to prevent dead mail from being sent to a recovery center, make sure that all of your mail is addressed correctly and includes your full name and complete address.