RE-DUCE
Sian Winter
I suspect that many of you, like me, have little faith in our recycling systems. So as well as recycling, let’s try reducing the volume of rubbish too.
Let’s start with junk mail. I have no idea how much junk mail is delivered to the 500 households in Betchworth each year, but I imagine that a very conservative estimate would be five or 6 items a week……that is a staggering 2,500 items per week to Betchworth alone.
I have managed to reduce our junk mail significantly over the last few years by using three simple steps.
Any unwanted marketing mail which arrives in my letter box, I cross out my address but leave it is still visible, circle the return address and write PLEASE UNSUBSCRIBE. I collect up this pile of mail and every now and again pop it all in the post box. You don’t need to put a stamp on it, the retailers will be charged for its return postage - a good incentive for them to stop sending unsolicited mail. This has been remarkably effective.
Register your address at mpsonline.org.uk. You can also unsubscribe from mail for previous occupants or someone who has died.
Unaddressed leaflets delivered by the Post Office can be stopped by sending an email to [email protected] and/or by printing out and filling in a Royal Mail Opt Out Form.
I’m not sure how effective a notice near your post box saying ‘no leaflets please’ is, but it’s probably worth a try. It’s only a start but every little helps. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.
Sian Winter
I suspect that many of you, like me, have little faith in our recycling systems. So as well as recycling, let’s try reducing the volume of rubbish too.
Let’s start with junk mail. I have no idea how much junk mail is delivered to the 500 households in Betchworth each year, but I imagine that a very conservative estimate would be five or 6 items a week……that is a staggering 2,500 items per week to Betchworth alone.
I have managed to reduce our junk mail significantly over the last few years by using three simple steps.
Any unwanted marketing mail which arrives in my letter box, I cross out my address but leave it is still visible, circle the return address and write PLEASE UNSUBSCRIBE. I collect up this pile of mail and every now and again pop it all in the post box. You don’t need to put a stamp on it, the retailers will be charged for its return postage - a good incentive for them to stop sending unsolicited mail. This has been remarkably effective.
Register your address at mpsonline.org.uk. You can also unsubscribe from mail for previous occupants or someone who has died.
Unaddressed leaflets delivered by the Post Office can be stopped by sending an email to [email protected] and/or by printing out and filling in a Royal Mail Opt Out Form.
I’m not sure how effective a notice near your post box saying ‘no leaflets please’ is, but it’s probably worth a try. It’s only a start but every little helps. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.