Black Country Rubbish Challenge

•  Welcome

•  Why Do It
  ›  History
  ›  Why Reduce Rubbish?
  ›  What's in it for me?
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  ›  In My Area

•  At Home
  ›  Occasions
  ›  In the Garden
  ›  Energy Saving
  ›  Nappies
  ›  Reuse / Recycling
  ›  Junk Mail

•  At the Shops
  ›  Shopping Behaviour
  ›  Recycled Products
  ›  Supermarket Shopping
  ›  Success Stories

•  At School
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  ›  Lunch Boxes
  ›  Paper Usage
  ›  Energy Saving
  ›  Education Officer Visit
  ›  Eco Schools

•  Get Involved

•  What's New

•  Title

•  Accessibility Menu

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•  Contact

Junk Mail

The problem of direct or ‘junk’ mail is huge. People in the Black Country receive nearly 5 million pieces of direct mail every year and about a third of this is thrown straight in the bin. One pensioner who saved his junk mail for a year ended up with a 37in-high pile weighing 70lbs. The retired taxi driver received 701 unwanted brochures during 2003. Last year over 78,000 tonnes of this junk mail ended up in the tip.

So, rather than throwing it away why don’t you stop companies sending it to you? If you want to stop receiving the unwanted heaps of mail you can simply register your details free-of-charge with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS). By signing up to the MPS, you can take your name off 95% of the UK's direct mailing lists. Just think how much less unwanted waste paper will be coming through your door.

www.mpsonline.org.uk
MPS Registration line - 0845 703 4599 (local call rate)

If you are happy to receive direct mail but want to turn it a shade greener. With the exception of the envelopes these letters and leaflets can be recycled with your newspapers. That way, recyclers can turn your unwanted mail into new paper products.