Project Integra is backing a national campaign urging people to cut the amount of junk mail they receive.

Britons receive almost four billion pieces of unsolicited direct mail every year, with 78,000 tonnes of it being landfilled in 2002.

Project Integra, the partnership of all local authorities in Hampshire dealing with waste, is reminding residents that they can ‘do their bit’ to reduce unwanted mail as part of Planet Ark’s national campaign, in association with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS).

If the amount of junk mail sent in the UK could be reduced by half, that would be a saving of the equivalent amount of waste that the average district council in Hampshire collects in a year!

Planet Ark’s campaign is being supported by former Wimbledon tennis champion Pat Cash, and pop singer Dannii Minogue. Pat Cash said: "Everyone has a choice about what comes through their letterbox, and the Mailing Preference Service gives people that choice as to whether they want to receive advertising mail or not."

The Chair of Project Integra’s Management Board, Councillor Roland Dibbs, added: "Many people are frustrated by the amount of junk mail they receive, not least because of the waste of resources involved and the inconvenience of disposing of it. This is an easy way to make a difference. I would urge anyone who dislikes receiving direct mail to register their details with MPS immediately. This will make a small but significant reduction to your outgoing waste."

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