Junk Mail
By taking steps to reduce the junk mail that ends up in your letterbox you are helping to minimise not just paper but also water resource waste.
Unsolicited advertising material (or junk mail) is advertising material, for a commercial purpose, not addressed by name to an owner or occupier of the premises. Common examples include takeaway food menus, supermarket catalogues, flyers from real estate agents, refrigerator magnets or letters advertising the services of a tradesperson, as well as mail addressed ‘to the householder’ or ‘to the occupier’.
The Problem
Junk mail doesn't just create litter on our streets and footpaths - it's estimated that junk mail uses 240,000 tonnes of paper every single year. The water needed to produce that amount of paper could fill more than 8,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools
What can you do?
List of Services
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Stick it Up!List Item 1
Place a No Advertising Material sticker on your letter box. Be aware though, that material deemed to be political, educational, religious and charitable is exempt from "No Junk Mail" signed letterboxes.
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Complain to the companies involved
If you're receiving materials despite a NO JUNK MAIL sticker on your letterbox - complain directly to the companies involved. Let them know that the contractors they are employing are bringing their brand into disrepute. Call them, email or post a complaint on their social media page to let them know....
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Get RegisteredList Item 4
Register your details on the Consumer Do Not Contact Opt Out Service. Including yourself on this list will ensure that you are not contacted by 500 members of the Australian Direct Marketing Association. These members include banks, insurance companies, publishers, catalogue and mail order companies. Please note: this only opt out of ADMA member companies, so may not stop all unwanted promotional mail. If you want to stop receiving mail from a specific business or businesses, then you will need to contact the business directly and advise them to take your name off their mailing list.
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Report it!List Item 3
Report any junk mail which is littered, delivered in duplicate or delivered to a letterbox with a No Advertising Material sticker on it. Report offenders to the Distribution Standards Board on 1300 083 241.
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Return it!
Redirect mail you receive back to the organisation by writing “Return To Sender” and “No Junk Mail” on the envelope and putting it in a mailbox.
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Make a digital choice
Register for electronic bills: most organisations now offer you the opportunity to have bills and statements sent to you electronically, rather than printed and mailed to you. You can also register with online catalogue portals or visit retailers own websites to receive catalogues and sale notices online.
More Actions You Can Take
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Recycle Right, Mate!
ButtonLearn more about reducing the waste and environmental damage from plastic bags.
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Inspire your family and friends to make a change by sharing your pledge and tagging @CleanUpAustralia #CleanUpAustralia
Clean Up Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.