waste less. live more
We inspire and help people to waste less and live more sustainably.
Junk Mail
What is the issue?
Junk mail is post we have not chosen to receive. It wastes valuable natural resources (around 9 million trees annually), clutters up the letterbox, and drives people nuts.
Royal Mail has abandoned limits on the amount of ‘unaddressed mail’ they deliver, which could significantly increase the amount of junk mail landing on our doorsteps.
So at what point does mail become junk mail, and how can having an easy and effective opt out service benefit consumers, organisations and the environment?
What should be done?
We want the companies and organisations who send out and regulate direct mail to make it much easier for customers to opt out of receiving direct mail.
Improving opting out
If we do want information and updates, let it be on our terms - in our case, infrequently, and electronically. Cluttering up inboxes rather than letterboxes is more sustainable and creates less waste. Or even better, let us opt in to receiving information through the post and choose how often a company can communicate with us, and in what format we would like to receive this information.
Currently, the Royal Mail's Mailing Preference Service, and the DMA's Your Choice scheme give householders the option of opting out of receiving unsolicited mail. Both could be promoted more and be easier to access.
We are used to seeing 'unsubscribe' links at the end of emails, giving us control over which information we choose to receive, how frequently, and in what format. Let us try to persuade the companies that send direct mail and regulate the industry to give us the same amount of control over how they communicate with us.
