Most of the mail we receive through our letter box is useful or necessary, like bills or birthday cards. However some is just plain junk. Unwanted, unsolicited mail is an extra burden the average recycler does not need, so what can we do about it?

Reducing the amount of junk mail you receive reduces the amount of waste paper that has to be disposed of and recycled. But we can go further to reduce our paper waste. Try sending e-cards on special occasions instead of real cards or an email instead of a postcard when you are on holiday.

To make the most of resources, try re-using envelopes by covering over the previous address with a new address label. If you regularly buy and sell on eBay you could also reuse any non-recyclable packaging like jiffy bags and bubble wrap instead of buying more.

Did you Know?

• Over ½ million tonnes of junk mail is generated in the UK every year!
• 1 tonne of junk mail is the equivalent of 17 trees
• The average person in the Northamptonshire receives 4kg of junk mail annually.
• 90% of all junk mail goes straight into the bin.
• Do you want to be more selective about what comes through your letterbox?

Top Tips for Reducing Junk Mail

Join the Mail Preference Service

Every household in the county can act to reduce the amount of paper they receive through the post by signing up to the Mail Preference Service. The service gives you the option of removing your name from Direct Mailing lists and thus reducing unwanted unaddressed mail. This service is free of charge and will remove your name from up to 95% of direct mail lists in the UK. 

To do this, log on to the mailing preference service website (see useful links) or phone 0845 703 4599.

On September 1st the Mail Preference Service changed.  All registrations used to be held at surname level which meant that 1 person could register the entire household (with the same surname) onto the MPS. This is now done on an individual level, meaning each person in the house has to register individually onto the MPS.

Join the Royal Mail Door to Door Opt-Out service

Write a short letter to Royal Mail telling them of the desire to opt out of receiving door to door mailings. This will stop anything marked with a 'M' for marketing mailsort being delivered. The address to write to is:

Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS
Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs
Kingsmead House
Oxpens Road
OXFORD
OX1 1RX
or email: optout@royalmail.com

Refuse leaflets and flyers

Displaying a ‘No Junk Mail’ sticker on your door or mail box will demonstrate your preference not to receive flyers and leaflets.

Avoid joining mailing lists

When filling out forms or surveys remember to tick the box stating that you do not want to receive further information or offers. Companies are legally obliged to give this option.

Tell your bank, mortgage provider, credit card companies etc that you do not want to receive information about any other services they provide and ask them not to pass on your details to other companies.

Leave mailing lists

Contact organisations that regularly send you unwanted mail and tell them to remove your name from their lists. This is usually best done by writing a short letter. Make sure you put the date on the letter too.

Another way you can do this is to return unopened junk mail back to the sender. Simply write ‘Return to Sender, Unsolicited Mail, Please remove my name from the mailing list’ on the envelope and pop back into the post. You will not need a stamp.

Opt for E-statements

Some banks and utility companies offer online services for paying your bills and will send e-statements to your email address instead of sending paper bills through the post.