Royal Mail has explained how people can stop the steady stream of leaflets landing on their doormat. If these items go straight from the doormat to the recycling bin, the opt-out scheme aims to reduce waste for both recipients and those paying for the leaflets.
The key point is that all post must still be delivered, including items without a name but with an address. Even mail addressed only to 'To the Occupier' has to come through the door.
Simply binning junk mail or telling the postie to skip a house is not enough, as the rules do not allow it. However, there is a free way around it.
How the opt-out works
Royal Mail's opt-out scheme targets only unaddressed 'door to door' items. While this process should divert most nameless post, the postal service may have to ignore the request when delivering nationwide messages on behalf of the government when it is deemed important.
Before signing up, Royal Mail warns that it cannot pick and choose between leaflets. If a household opts out, it applies to everyone living at that address, so nobody there should receive those unaddressed items.
Steps to opt out
Royal Mail requires people to print an opt-out form, fill it in, sign it and send it to the address on the form. The opt-out cannot be set up by phone, even if calling customer services with questions.
The English version of the form is available online, with a Welsh language version also provided. Once Royal Mail receives the completed form, it says it will implement the request within six weeks.
Duration and limitations
The opt-out lasts two years, after which people must reapply to confirm they still live at the address and still want deliveries stopped. Royal Mail notes that it only handles a minority of all unaddressed mail delivered in the UK, so other distributors can still post their own leaflets even after a successful opt-out.
For people trying to cut other marketing, Royal Mail points to the Data and Marketing Association's 'Your Choice' preference scheme for other distributors. It also highlights the Fundraising Preference Service, which allows reducing certain types of direct contact from specific charities, including personally addressed post.
