The distribution of unaddressed advertising material in Australia is not legislated but managed through a voluntary Code of Conduct overseen by the Australian Catalogue Association (ACA). The ACA is committed to ensuring appropriate distribution methods are adhered to. The ACA is concerned if you are unhappy about the distribution of advertising material to your property.
If you don’t want to receive advertising material, the first step you need to take is to attach a sign to your letter box such as ‘no advertising material’, ‘no junk mail’, ‘circulars only’.
If advertising material is placed in your letterbox when you have one of these signs it is often simply a matter of a new delivery person not understanding the sign or making a mistake when delivering the material in your area. To resolve this you can contact the distribution companies within WA and request that this is stopped.
The two distribution companies in WA are:
- PMP Distribution: 9418 2555
- Salamat: 9379 6999
You will need to call these distribution companies and determine who is responsible for the material you are receiving and request assistance. They will then usually contact the local area coordinator to ensure delivery to you ceases.
Under the current legislation, throwing advertising material onto a property without the owners consent is a direct breach of the Litter Act 1979. All mail, regardless of the type, must be placed into a mail box to avoid being considered litter. This Act gives powers to various authorities to take action against those that litter, including your Local Government.
Under this current legislation, advertising material is not litter when it is deposited in a mail box.
Unwanted community newspapers
Newspapers are not exempt from anti-littering legislation in Western Australia and placing them on private land or the Council verge can be considered an offence against the Litter Act 1979. The Keep Australia Beautiful Council (KABC) which administers the Act, has previously taken the view that a community newspaper is a service that most people are happy to receive and has previously not taken any action against publishers or distributors.
Recently the Community Newspaper Group has received KABC approval to deliver some community newspapers via verge drop off to accommodate areas where there is a lack of delivering staff. In order for this to occur the Local Council must provide approval. In addition, the Community Newspaper Group has established a new hotline to allow easy cancellation of newspaper delivery to your private address if desired.
If you are receiving community newspapers and you do not wish to receive them you can call this ‘hotline’ on: 6330 9172 or 6330 9175.
