Unwanted Mail

There has been a considerable amount of recent publicity about 'junk mail'. Whilst many of us don't mind receiving special offers or money-off vouchers through the post, some of us do consider this type of mail a nuisance. Recipients should be able to exercise a choice as to whether they receive this mail or not.

There are two types of advertising mail - addressed and unaddressed. Advertising mail is delivered by a range of organisations – including Royal Mail and other licensed postal operators, but also by local businesses. Under the Postal Services Act 2000 all licensed operators are obliged to deliver all mail items unless the contents have been proven to be illegal or in breach of British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion. There are, however, a number of services available that attempt to stop advertising mail at its source.

Mailing Preference Service
The Mailing Preference Service (MPS) is a free service set up and funded by the direct mail industry to enable consumers to have their names and home addresses in the UK removed from lists used by companies which use direct mail marketing. MPS can remove customer details from up to 95% of Direct Mail lists. It will not stop mail that has been sent from overseas, unaddressed material or mail addressed to The Occupier. It can take up to 4 months for MPS to have full effect although customers should notice a reduction of the mail during this period.

Customers can register for MPS by writing to:

Mailing Preference Service
FREEPOST 29
LON 20771
LONDON
W1E 0ZT

Or by visiting the website at: http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/

Royal Mail’s Opt out Service for unaddressed mail

Customers can also reduce the amount of unaddressed mail they receive by registering for Royal Mail’s Opt Out Service. Royal Mail claim they deliver only about 25% of unaddressed mail.

If customers wish to opt out of receiving unaddressed mail they can either call 08457 950 950 or alternatively write to:

Door to Door Opt Outs
Royal Mail
Kingsmead House
Oxpens Road
Oxford
OX1 1RX

Opting out of 'Door to Door' will mean that you will not receive Government literature (although any vital communications will be delivered). Polling and electoral registration material is unaffected.