Last year 76.5% of direct marketing material was recycled, well ahead of the 2009 target of 55% figure, and even beating the 2013 target of 70%.
The DMA has attributed the success to better-targeted campaigns, improved industry initiatives, as well as a rise in household recycling levels.
The figures mean that the amount of direct mail entering landfill sites has fallen by 79% since 2003, saving 382,698 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2009 alone.
The DMA is now in discussion with the Royal Mail and Defra, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in regards to how the direct marketing industry can drive towards even greater environmental efficiency over the coming years.
Robert Keitch, chief of membership and brand at the DMA, said: "Every year, direct mail generates £16bn in sales for UK plc. Hitting the Government's recycling targets shows we can do so without hitting companies' bottom lines."