How To Cut Junk Mail
Are you fed up of receiving unwanted leaflets through the post? Do you want to reduce the amount of paper that's wasted on sending you these unwanted adverts? Then follow these three simple online steps below.
1. Cut Addressed Junk Mail
Register with the Mailing Preference Service - all members of the Direct Marketing Association are obliged to stop sending mail to people on this list.
You can also write to any company ordering them, under the Data Protection Act 1998, to "cease processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes". If the offending mail persists, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.
2. Stop Unaddressed Junk Mail Delivered by the Royal Mail
Opt out of the Royal Mail's Door-to-Door service. Simply email your name and address to optout@royalmail.com - note that this will not stop election material from being delivered.
3. Cut Other Unaddressed Junk Mail
Request a free No Junk Mail door sticker. Simply email your name, address and postcode to Harrow Council at publicrealm@harrow.gov.uk. This will discourage informal leafleting to your door. See promotion in Harrow People, October 2007.
Data Protection Act 1998 Chapter 29 (section 11)
11 Right to prevent processing for purposes of direct marketing
(1) An individual is entitled at any time by notice in writing to a data controller to require the data controller at the end of such period as is reasonable in the circumstances to cease, or not to begin, processing for the purposes of direct marketing personal data in respect of which he is the data subject.
(2) If the court is satisfied, on the application of any person who has given a notice under subsection (1), that the data controller has failed to comply with the notice, the court may order him to take such steps for complying with the notice as the court thinks fit.
(3) In this section “direct marketing” means the communication (by whatever means) of any advertising or marketing material which is directed to particular individuals.