A Royal Mail postie has revealed a straightforward method to reduce unwanted mail at home, while explaining that a common ‘please don’t post junk mail’ request won’t necessarily prevent flyers coming through the door. In a TikTok Q&A, postie Jas responded to viewers’ questions about deliveries and shared a handful of practical pointers.

One person asked if Royal Mail can block junk mail completely. She explained: “I’ve had quite a lot of comments like this. I get it off customers as well when I’m delivering mail. We legally have to deliver unaddressed mail – unless you officially opt out.

“You can do it online and it probably takes two seconds. But if you’ve got a little sticker on your letterbox saying ‘no junk mail’ – that doesn’t mean anything.”

She said that she often gets people asking her whether she can read – but that’s not the issue. Jas continued: “I get people say ‘can you not read?’

“ Yes, I can read. But it’s my job to deliver that mail. Someone’s paid for our service, so unless you opt out yes, I legally have to deliver ‘junk mail’.”

How to stop Royal Mail delivering ‘junk mail’

Royal Mail isn’t the only firm that delivers so-called “junk mail”. Thankfully there’s a straightforward way to cut down how much comes through your door – using its online opt-out service.

A Royal Mail spokesperson confirmed to the Express: “Customers who don’t want to receive unaddressed advertising mail delivered by Royal Mail can opt out through a simple process on our website. Once registered, the opt-out lasts for two years and applies to everyone at the address.

“Simply asking your postie to stop isn’t enough, as our colleagues are required to deliver the mail allocated to each address. Using the formal process means the request is recorded on our systems and followed regardless of who is delivering.

“Royal Mail delivers only a minority of unaddressed advertising mail in the UK. Other companies also distribute leaflets and advertising material, so opting out of our service won’t necessarily stop everything coming through your letterbox. The opt-out also doesn’t apply to mail addressed to individuals or ‘The Occupier’.”

Royal Mail writes on its website that “in rare cases, we work with the government to deliver important messages to every UK address when it’s in the national interest.”

You can find out more information on opting out online here.

Royal Mail takes ‘incidents seriously’

With December 25 getting closer, it’s worth being patient if things take a bit longer than usual, as a spike at this time of year is, of course, expected. It also helps to remember that Royal Mail posties – and other couriers – are doing their job. If you’re annoyed about junk mail or a late parcel, do not take it out on the person delivering it.

Royal Mail told the Express that any unwanted behaviour is never acceptable. It warned: “Our posties work hard serving their local communities and deserve to be treated with respect. Abuse, threats or intimidation towards our colleagues are unacceptable, and we take any incidents seriously.”