Why can't I refuse flyers through my door??

[Stillmonday]

I'm fed up with junk mail & advertising flyers being put through my door.
Recently I've put a sign on the door saying 'no junk mail' but the postman still puts flyers through my door.
Today I spoke to the postman and told him I didn't want the latest flyer, I gave it me back and said he's paid to deliver it so I have to have it. I told him it just goes in the bin and I don't want it, he then said I have to have it even if I do just throw it in the bin!

How odd is that? I get that companies pay for posties to deliver them but surely im allowed to refuse to accept them?!

He’s not allowed to just stop posting yours as he’s paid extra to deliver it. He’s not allowed to ‘withhold’ it.

I’m sure there is a way you can stop it though, but I think you have to call the sorting office rather than asking the actual postman.

As a postie we have to treat these items as first class mail.
There is a opt-out form on the Royal Mail website.

Yes, you have to formally opt-out. AND you have to renew the opting out fairly regularly.

It's a complete pita.

I’m in Canada but the UK system may have something in place that’s similar. Here it’s called the red dot program and once you sign up only mail addressed to me/the house is delivered no sales flyers with no address. Except for government notices (voting) which by law they have to deliver.
Make sure you unsubscribe from mailers as well. Often there’s a phone number to call to stop delivery of magazines.
Go to your local post office and speak to the manager to see if the UK has something similar.

It's really annoying as I hate waste, even if it can be recycled. I wish companies would stop.

I can't find an online form?

Send it back to them

It’s only once a week just accept it and put it in the recycling bin. Royal mail needs the money to stay afloat .

personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/293/~/how-do-i-opt-out-of-receiving-any-leaflets-or-unaddressed-promotional-material%3F

personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/293/~/how-do-i-opt-out-of-receiving-any-leaflets-or-unaddressed-promotional-material%3F

@statetrooperstacey No I don't want to Blooming accept it!

Thanks @ChicCroissant

How does it affect your life so much to put a couple of fliers in the recycling bin?! Having a go at the poor postie as if he should remember every day what not to post through your door - give the guy a break!

I find it more odd how much it bothers you lol

@LtJudyHopps because I'm sick of just throwing unwanted paper in the bin. He doesn't have to remember as there's a note on my door politely asking him not to post unwanted junk mail through my door.

I find it odd that you find that odd! 🙄

Yes my postie told me the same thing. You can opt out online somewhere. I keep meaning to do it for our new house!

personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/293/~/how-do-i-opt-out-of-receiving-any-leaflets-or-unaddressed-promotional-material%3F

I personally opt out as I find it a massive waste of paper - especially as it can't always be recycled afaik

This is the thing, our recycling is overflowing as it is. I get that companies need to advertise but as a consumer, I should have the right to refuse these leaflets.

you do have the right to opt out of these leaflets you have been given a few links to the opt out form by other posters
The postman has to deliver mail that he is paid to deliver otherwise he risks losing his job, postie have lost jobs in the past for not delivering mail both addressed and non addressed
The companies pay royal mail to deliver to every address so he will be under a contractual obligation to do this legally he can't take the mail back unless it is a signed for letter which you refuse to sign for

I've just clicked the link (thanks to pp for it) but reading the preamble to the form has got me thinking - is there ever any junk mail that I'm happy to receive that I'd be missing? The amount of paper which is completely wasted as it goes straight into the recycling annoys me, but am I not thinking of something?

Just remember a sign on your door or speaking to your postie might result in you receiving less paper through your door. It will not result in paper saving. The postie will just post x2 leaflets through your neighbours door. Our job is to deliver it. If we leave undelivered leaflets anywhere except through a letterbox we have committed a criminal offence afaik.

You can refuse to have it delivered OP, as others have said you can opt out. The postman is paid to deliver it so he has to or he could literally lose his job. (XH was a postman so know how this stuff works).

I opted out at my old address so that the junk mail from them wasn't delivered. They made a big fuss telling me that I might miss things from the local council addressed to The Occupier, because if it hasn't got your name on it, they won't deliver it once you opt out.

I survived funnily enough. Once I opted out it stopped coming, apart from the odd day when the usual postie was on holiday.

The links say that they have to deliver addresses mail, including to The Occupier. It is only unaddressed mail which is stops.

Thanks for the links, I'll be doing it.

Thanks @Lollyice. Here's the forms www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/D2D-Opt-Out-Application-Form-2015.pdf