Save Paper and Packaging: Dump Your Junk Mail
You can now opt out of receiving unaddressed junk mail that gets inserted in Royal Mail deliveries by registering with their ‘OPT OUT’ service. Be aware that this service only relates to mail that does not have the recipients address on. Royal Mail is still legally obliged to deliver mail bearing an individuals address (such as ‘To the Occupier’ or any other generic recipient information).
But at least it’s a start.
Let’s say you get three or four unwanted leaflets/flyers a week – that’s 200 every year you now won’t get when you opt out. This is effectively a full-colour book that you won’t need to receive, somebody won’t need to print – and the postie doesn’t need to carry. (I can hear posties around the UK all cheering together right now …)
Opt Out Instructions from the Royal Mail here
Or email them: optout@royalmail.com
Or alternatively …
“Unwanted, unread direct mail has no place in anyone’s home. And if you’re not interested in receiving it, we will update our records for direct mail companies to view and adjust their lists as you request.”
That’s the promise of The Mailing Preference Service (MPS), a free service set up by the direct mail industry which ‘can remove your name from up to 95% of direct mail lists’.
Find out about the MPS and register to "stop your junk mail here: http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/
Join the fray by signing in.
12 Sep 2006
This took me about five minutes and if everyone starts doing it, it would make a world of difference.
13 Sep 2006
The RoyalMail info on ‘Optout’ advises you will not recieve government (local and national) info if you ‘optout’. I recieved the following from Postwatch when I queried this as I’d heard a Postwatch spokesperson say this was not correct on the BBC News:
“Postwatch is actively trying to obtain clarification from Royal Mail as to what information will not be effected by opting out of Royal Mail door to door.
We have written to Royal Mail today and a copy of our letter can be found on our website www.postwatch.co.uk under current issues, unwanted mail.”
13 Sep 2006
I’ve just come across:
www.controlyourpost.co.uk
which looks helpful…
25 Sep 2006
After realising that if I had just read the whole blurb on the living generously page it gave me the details of how to do this, it was actually really easy. First I visited other unhelpful sites. I’m sure no one else will be that silly.
Godalming, GB , 09 Oct 2006
Just sent an e-mail to optout@royalmail.com I wonder what response I’ll get if any.
Godalming, GB , 09 Oct 2006
Just sent an e-mail to optout@royalmail.com I wonder what response I’ll get if any.
Godalming, GB , 09 Oct 2006
Had a very prompt response which includes a form to fill in if I’m sure I want to do this.
There is also a warning that:
“It is not possible for us to separate advertising material and information that you may want, such as leaflets from Central and Local Government and other public bodies. Opting out from Royal Mail Door to Door stops all unaddressed items.
“Opting out means no one at the Delivery point will receive mail of this nature, is this acceptable to everyone inhabiting the property?”
I thought I heard on the radio a little while back that such items are not be included, although I’m wondering if it would matter anyway.
Stroud, GB , 31 Oct 2006
Every little helps indeed – to kill the post office! I agree with your principle, but it is a huge source of revenue for the somewhat beleagured rural post offices, which are often litterally life-line for elderly people in the country-side, so I do have rather mixed feelings about this action. Also, from what Karin says if might mean you do not get the letter from the electoral register asking you to confirm your registration to VOTE…
Cardiff, GB , 27 Nov 2006
Thank you – I didn’t know I could Opt Out but I’ve just done it.
US , 06 Dec 2006
For those in the states, there’s a group called greendimes.com that will do all of the work to get and keep you off junk mailing lists for a small fee.
Their calculations are that the fee is less than it would cost you just to pay the postage on all of the letters you’d have to mail to different companies requesting to be taken off their lists. Whether or not that’s literally true, it’s enough work that I wouldn’t have done it on my own – but it really is a small price to pay to have it done. Check it out!
GB , 08 Feb 2007
Folks – dont waste time going to the website just email your name and address to optout@royalmail.com and they will send you a form which you need to fill out, sign and return.