DEALING WITH JUNK MAIL
Latest figures show that during 2005 British households and businesses received 21 billion items of unwanted mail - equivilant to 3.3 million trees!
If you want to reclaim your letterbox and stop the tide of junk mail please follow the advice below.
Targetted Junk Mail
The majority of junk mail comes from advertisers that have been given your address by list suppliers. The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) administers a mailing preference service; by registering with the mailing preference service they will remove your name and address from direct mail lists.
Either write to them or register online.
Mailing Preference Service
FREEPOST 29 (LON22771)
LONDON
W1 7EZ
http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/
Another source of personally addressed mail comes from companies you have purchased goods or ordered literature from. They will continue to send you information unless you ask them not to. Most companies have an opt-out scheme. Look for the tick box on forms and use it!
Unaddressed Junk Mail
The Post Office delivers a lot of unaddressed junk mail, known as Royal Mail Door-to-Door. To stop receiving this post you will need to write to them at the following address:
Door-to-Door Opt Outs
Royal Mail
Beaumont House
Sandy Lane West
OXFORD
OX4 6ZZ
Please be aware that this type of mail includes leaflets from central government and local authorities, if sent unaddressed. If you choose this opt-out scheme make sure you visit libraries, help points and the Council's website to find the most up-to-date information about your community.
Other tips to reduce unwanted mail
- Electoral register - tick the 'edited register' option when completing the annual form. This will keep your details out of the publicly available register.
- Tell your credit card, banking and mortgage companies that you don't want to receive information about other services and ask them not to pass your details onto other companies.
- Some utility companies offer on-line billing as an end to paper bills.
- Finally, if you don't want it, recycle it!