John Battle MP (Lab, Leeds West) has backed a new website to end the annoyance of irresponsible direct mailing and help consumers to once again take control of the mail they receive.

Itsmypost.com allows consumers to opt out of mailings from specific brands, while at the same time receiving mail from those brands they do wish to hear from.

Mr Battle said: “I am constantly being contacted by constituents annoyed at receiving endless mailings they aren’t interested in. People want to be able to choose the companies they receive direct mail from. Itsmypost.com allows that to happen, letting you contact numerous companies at the same time to inform them that they do not want to hear from them in the future. Companies who receive ‘no mail’ notifications are then obliged to comply with the consumer’s request through Section 11 of the Data Protection Act 1998.”

He went on: “The environmental damage caused by unnecessary printing and production is huge and the website will also help with that. It’s been estimated that unwanted junk mail constributes 136m tonnes of wasted paper every year – and as we’re all beginning to ‘think green’ at the moment, anything which will help to cut that figure will be welcome.”

How itsmypost.com works:

• Register online at itsmypost.com and create a personal profile.

• Choose from the lists of the top 400 mailers on the site who you DO NOT want to receive mailed communications from.

• Nominate any other brands you do not wish to hear from.

• Simply print out the bespoke 'remove from the mailing list' request addressed to each brand, sign it and pop it in the post to communicate your mailing wishes direct to brands.

• OR use itsmypost.com to facilitate the deliveries you want, saving you postage costs with its money-saving pay option costing £4.95. Itsmypost.com will send an email to the brand from your own itsmypost.com email address, which is generated when you create a personal profile so the brands still receive direct communication from you.

Once contacted by an individual asking to be removed from a mailing list, a company is by law obliged to comply.

©John Battle MP 22 March 2007