Body launches 'Say No to Junk Mail' campaign in nine counties

Householders in nine counties are being given the chance to take part in an initiative aimed at cutting down on junk mail.

The Southern Waste Regional Office, which launched the 'Say No to Junk Mail' campaign last March, is providing eight local authorities with thousands of additional stickers to cut down on unsolicited mail.

The initiative includes Carlow, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford and is aimed at cutting down on unnecessary waste.

Pauline McDonogh, Regional Waste Prevention Co-ordinator, Southern Waste Region, said: "With Christmas fast approaching the amount of junk mail or unsolicited mail appearing in letterboxes is increasing. Many householders complain that they have received the same junk mail more than once.

"This mail is not only a great source of annoyance for many householders but it is also a huge generator of unnecessary waste."

She said the mail is generally made up of local take away menus, local taxi companies, and companies advertising services such as house or garden maintenance.

She said: "While junk mail can be recycled most householders when asked say they would prefer not to get it in the first place. The 'No Junk Mail' stickers we are making available are a polite way to request distributors not to give you the material.

"No Junk Mail stickers are being made available from the offices of the Environment Sections of the participating local authorities in Cork City, Clare, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Tipperary and Kerry. A number of local Tidy Towns Groups are also distributing the stickers."