How you can help reduce your junk mail

In the UK 500,000 tonnes of junk mail is generated every year. Most of it ends up in the bin. In three easy steps you can help to reduce the amount of Shropshire’s waste that goes to landfill, and save yourself the annoyance of receiving unwanted junk mail.

Step 1

For addressed junk mail…

Contact the Mailing Preference Service contact details below. By registering your name and address with the MPS you will gradually begin to receive less junk mail.

The whole process takes up to 6 months to completely kick in and will last for 5 years. You will continue to receive mail from companies which you have done business with in the past e.g. mail order companies.

For full details and registration form, write to:

Mailing Preference Service
Freepost 22
London
W1E 7EZ
0845 7034599 (local rate)

or visit the MPS website (follow the link).

Step 2

For unaddressed regional junk mail…

Much of the junk mail that you receive through your letter-box is sent out on a regional basis to every household.

Write to the Royal Mail Helpline (address below) and ask for your address to be taken off their database and you will no longer receive unaddressed junk mail.

Beaumont House,
Sandy Lane West,
Oxford,
OX4 6ZZ,

Please note you will no longer receive unaddressed information from your local council.

Step 3

The final solution is to access the PDF file attached to this page and print off the 'No free newspapers, fliers or junk mail' statement and display it near your letter-box. This can help to stop local junk mail that you can get thorough your door. e.g. from fast food takeaways or restaurants.

To help with Step 3 we have produced a handy sticker which can place on your letter-box or window to stop unwanted leaflets. To request a sticker please contact us using the link on the left-hand-side of the page.

Recycle it
If you enjoy receiving junk mail please recycle it along with all your other papers at your local recycling bank or via your doorstep recycling service if you have one.