Each of us spends about 70 hours each year dealing with junk mail. Junk mail destroys 100 million trees every year, and some of the junk paper can't be recycled because of toxic inks. When you stop junk mail at the source, you're saving time and trees.

Unwanted postal marketing - commonly known as 'junk mail' - can include flyers and response forms, competition entries, interactive CDs and postal campaigns.

Step 1

To reduce the volume of 'junk mail', register your name and address with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS).  The MPS is a free service set up by the direct-marketing industry to help people who don't want to receive junk mail. The MPS can remove your name and address from up to 95% of direct-mail lists. However, it will not stop direct mail from companies who don't check their list with the MPS before sending direct mail, and it won't stop mail addressed to 'the occupier'.

It will take up to four months for the service to take full effect, but you should notice a reduction in junk mail during this period.

To register, contact the MPS: Online at www.mpsonline.org.uk

Step 2

You can also reduce the amount of 'unaddressed mail' you receive by registering with the Royal Mail's Door to Door opt-out service. However, this will not stop mail addressed to 'the occupier'.

Write to:

Freepost RRBT-2BXB-TTTS,
Royal Mail Door to Door Opt Outs,
Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road,
Oxford, OX1 1RX

Or email at optout@royalmail.com

Step 3

If you have registered with the MPS but are still receiving junk mail, you can complain directly to them. They will investigate and contact the company sending the junk mail.

To complain, write to the MPS with a copy of the unwanted mail you have been sent, including the envelope, as this will help them to identify the source of the mailing.

Send these to:

Mailing Preference Service,
MPS Freepost LON20771,
London, W1E 0ZT

That should do the trick.  however, if you have any problems, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@cooltribe.com