In this section:
Junk Mail
Receiving unwanted mail can be a nuisance however there are ways to reduce the unwanted mail sent to your home; through the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) and the Royal Mail door to door opt out service.
Addressed Mail
MPS
This is a free service which reduces the amount of unwanted direct mail you receive. This affects mail which is specifically addressed to you such as letters/catalogues from companies wanting your business. Once you join your name will be removed from 95% of direct mailing lists within 4 months. To register you can either visit www.mpsonline.org.uk , call 0845 703 4599 or write to MPS, Freepost 29, LON 20771, London, W1E 0ZT with your name and address details. Registration lasts for 5 years.
Unaddressed Mail
Royal Mail opt out service
Joining this opt out service will reduce the amount of unaddressed mail you receive at your home. To register you can either email optout@royalmail.com with your name and address or write to:
Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS
Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs
Kingsmead House
Oxpens Road
OXFORD
OX1 1RX
Registration lasts for 2 years
Please note: the Royal Mail service does not differenciate between unaddressed mail you would like to receive, such as council newsletters/service information leaflets and unaddressed mail you don’t want to receive like sales flyers. Once you have joined this service all unaddressed mail will be stopped within 6 weeks.
Opt out boxes
When you give your name to an organisation such as through order forms, surveys and application forms, check the bottom of the form for opt out boxes to stop your name from being added to any new mailing lists.
Return to sender
If the mail you receive had the senders address you can return it ti the sender for free by crossing through your name and labelling it return to sender.
Contact the sender directly
If you continue to recive mailings from a specific company then write to them and ask for your name to be removed from their mailing list.
