05/08/2003

Plan to recycle more junk mail unveiled

The amount of junk mail sent to British homes is set to be reduced following an agreement today between the government and the direct mail industry.

The agreement – arrived at after many months of negotiation – will see the amount of junk mail that is recycled. Nearly 550,000 tonnes of paper are used in direct mail and promotions every year in the form of direct mail, door-to-door advertising material and newspaper inserts.

As a result of discussions with the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), the paper and printing industries, the Royal Mail and local authorities, the Government and the DMA have signed an agreement that sets rising recycling targets. By the end of 2005, 30% of all waste direct mail is to be recycled. Corresponding percentage recycling targets have also been set for 2009 (55%) and 2013 (70%). The agreement also includes a Waste Strategy, which aims to improve the targeting of direct mail and promotions to ensure that full use is made of available suppression files.

Elliot Morley, Minister for the Environment announced that the scheme, which meets a commitment made in the Waste Strategy 2000 programme, would result in an increase in the amount of direct mail sent for recycling.

He said: "I am delighted that we have reached an agreement with the direct mail and promotions industry on a scheme for the raising the recycling rates of waste direct mail. This scheme meets our commitment in Waste Strategy 2000. We are determined that producers must take responsibility for their products when they become waste and the DMA is playing its part in tackling one part of the UK's waste problem through this voluntary agreement."

(GMcG)

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