A Royal Mail postal worker has explained that a 'No Junk Mail' sticker on a letterbox does not stop unaddressed leaflets, as the company is legally required to deliver them unless residents officially opt out.
In a TikTok video, postie Jas answered viewers' delivery questions and offered practical tips. When one viewer asked whether Royal Mail can stop delivering junk mail altogether, she said: "I've had quite a lot of comments like this. I get it off customers as well when I'm delivering mail. We legally have to deliver unaddressed mail - unless you officially opt out."
Why the sticker doesn't work
Jas explained that opting out can be done online and takes about two seconds, but a sticker on the letterbox carries no weight. She added: "You can do it online and it probably takes two seconds. But if you've got a little sticker on your letterbox saying 'no junk mail' - that doesn't mean anything."
She noted that customers often ask whether she can read, but that is not the issue. Jas continued: "I get people say 'can you not read?' Yes, I can read. But it's my job to deliver that mail. Someone's paid for our service, so unless you opt out yes, I legally have to deliver 'junk mail'."
How to stop junk mail
While Royal Mail is not the only company delivering so-called junk mail, there is a simple way to reduce how much comes through the door: use its online service. A Royal Mail spokesperson confirmed to the Mirror: "Customers who don't want to receive unaddressed advertising mail delivered by Royal Mail can opt out through a simple process on our website. Once registered, the opt-out lasts for two years and applies to everyone at the address."
The spokesperson added: "Simply asking your postie to stop isn't enough, as our colleagues are required to deliver the mail allocated to each address. Using the formal process means the request is recorded on our systems and followed regardless of who is delivering."
Limits of the opt-out
The spokesperson also noted that Royal Mail delivers only a minority of unaddressed advertising mail in the UK, so opting out may not stop all leaflets. "Other companies also distribute leaflets and advertising material, so opting out of our service won't necessarily stop everything coming through your letterbox. The opt-out also doesn't apply to mail addressed to individuals or 'The Occupier'."
Royal Mail writes on its website that "in rare cases, we work with the government to deliver important messages to every UK address when it's in the national interest."
With Christmas approaching and a surge in deliveries, Royal Mail reminded the public that posties are doing their job and should be treated with respect. The company told the Mirror: "Our posties work hard serving their local communities and deserve to be treated with respect. Abuse, threats or intimidation towards our colleagues are unacceptable, and we take any incidents seriously."
