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Unwanted Mail

Junk mail coming through letterbox

Unwanted mail (including free newspaper) amounts to 750,000 tonnes of household waste in the UK annually. This section outlines five easy steps to reduce unwanted mail. For further information on the Scottish unwanted mail campaign visit:stop the drop logoor view the campaign leaflet.

1. Register with the Mailing Preference Service

This can reduce the amount of personally addressed direct mailings by up to 95% (direct mail is unsolicited advertising, marketing or publicity material).

This free service can be used to remove current or  previous occupiers names from the mailing lists and can also be used after a bereavement to stop future mailings addressed to the deceased.

After joining the MPS it can take up to 4 months to become fully operational and the service will last for 5 years.

The service does not cover mail sent from overseas, unaddressed mail or mail sent to “the occupier”. You will also continue to receive mail from companies that you have done business with in the past.

Before joining this service it should be considered that direct mail is a good way for companies to tell customers about products and offers, a good way for customers to shop from home and is also how many charities raise awareness of their cause.

For Further information or to join the service:

Visit: http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/

Write to: Mailing Preference Service, Freepost 29 LON20771, London, W1E 0ZT

Tel: 0845 703 4599 

You can also have details added to the service by contacting the Environmental Management and Resource Unit on 01595 744850 or e-mail recycling@shetland.gov.uk.

2. Register to Opt out of Royal Mail’s Door to Door Service

By registering with this service you will reduce the quantity of unaddressed mail delivered to your address. Royal Mail only delivers around 25% of this type of mail so you will still receive unaddressed mail from other sources. It will also have no effect on addressed mail or items sent to “the occupier”.

This will affect advertising offers or leaflets from public bodies (election material is not covered).

To find out more about the service: Visit:http://www.royalmail.com/

To receive an opt out registration form:        

Write to: Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS, Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1RX

3. Opt out of the Edited Version of the Electoral Register

On the electoral register there is an option to be excluded from the edited version of the Register of Electors, this register can be sold to anybody who wants it.

Your details will still be included on the full electoral register. 

For further information: visit:http://www.electoralcommission.gov.uk

4. Use Online Services

Many companies, including utility companies and banks, offer online services, so instead of getting paper statements and bills you could opt to receive electronic versions. Contact your service providers for further information on their online services.

5. Write to the Sender

An organisation that receives written indication that you want to be removed from their mailing list is legally obliged to stop sending you marketing material. This could stop mail sent to “the occupier”, unaddressed mail and be used to stop marketing from companies you already deal with.