Thomson Local has produced a 'No Thomson Local' sticker for householders wanting to cancel the directory. It is unclear if people who have asked Thomson Local to be opted out need to display the sticker on their door.

The company has sent the sticker to householders who have asked to be opted out of the directory via Stop Junk Mail's Junk Buster application. Since Junk Buster was launched in March 2009 many thousands of people have asked Thomson Local, Yell and BT not to deliver directories to their address.

Reminder to deliverers

Although Thomson Local doesn't advertise its opt-out scheme, the company has now for the first time publicly acknowledged that it is possible for householders to opt out. Both Yell and BT have not yet done so.

The letter Thomson Local has sent to householders who have contacted the company does not make it clear if people have to display the sticker in order to be opted out. It asks householders to display the sticker "prominently near your letterbox" but also advises people who do still want to receive a copy of the book to contact Thomson Local directly. This suggests that all householders who have asked to be opted out have been marked as opted out indeed, and that the sticker merely serves as a reminder to deliverers.

The sticker itself is rather large - it measures 14 x 10cm - and reads "Please do not deliver my directory". Householders can ask Thomson Local to be opted out by sending an e-mail to distribution@thomsonlocal.com, by calling 01252 555 555, or via the Junk Buster website.

Online directory 192.com is currently running a campaign for the introduction of an opt-in system for paper directories. Its petition on the 10 Downing Street website currently has 7,510 signatories.