2 March 2009 - Stop Junk Mail has today launched a 'Junk Buster' application that makes it possible for UK residents to register with up to six junk mail opt-out schemes in one go.
Previously, householders wanting to reduce unsolicited mail had to contact the six main junk mail opt-out schemes in the UK separately. The Junk Buster, which can be found at www.junkbuster.org.uk, creates a one-point-stop for opting out of unsolicited mail.
The junk mail opt-out schemes people can contact via Junk Buster are:
In addition, people can use Junk Buster to contact the three main paper directories delivered door-to-door in the UK: the Yellow Pages, Thomson Local and BT Telephone Directory.
Junk Buster can reduce unwanted mail by up to 60 per cent, or 11.3 kilos per annum. Robert Rijkhoff, the group's co-ordinator, explained: "The schemes people can contact via Junk Buster are the most effective opt-out schemes in the UK. They are also free. Using them will not stop junk mail completely but it will make a big difference to householders.
"We hope that Junk Buster will encourage householders to reduce paper waste. It is nonsense that tens of millions of paper directories are delivered door-to-door in the UK every year. Many of these books are never used and you would think that it makes sense for companies such as Yell, Thomson Local and BT to advertise the fact that people can opt out. Unfortunately, they do not. There is no mention of the existence of the opt-outs in the directories or on the companies' websites. As a result, few people use the opt-outs. Junk Buster is here to change this.
"Of course there is more that people can do to stop junk mail. In particular, to further reduce unaddressed mail people can get a 'no junk mail' sign. A good measure to prevent addressed junk mail opting out of being on the edited electoral register. This version of the electoral roll is used by bulk mailers to create junk mail lists; having your name and address on this list is asking for junk mail."
More information about reducing junk mail can be found in Stop Junk Mail's Guide to stamping out junk mail.