JUNK MAIL: PLANET ARC INITIATIVE MUST GET FULL SUPPORT

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 6th Oct 2003

Welcoming the Planet Arc initiative to reduce junk mail in Britain by promoting a 'Mailing Preference Service', Norman Baker MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, who has been campaigning along with Planet Arc for such an initiative, said:

"This is a great idea. Junk mail has more than doubled in the UK since 1990. Allowing people to opt-out of junk mail will mean that tonnes of unwanted junk mail that goes unread and ends up in landfill sites can be reduced.

"What a pity that this initiative hasn't come from Government but has been arranged by environmental pressure groups. Once again DEFRA has been left on the sidelines.

"With almost ¼ of Europe's recorded junk mail sent in Britain, a national doorstep recycling system must also be put in place to deal with rising junk mail, as well as other materials.

"We must stop the headlong rush towards incineration and landfill. 'Burn and bury Britain' must end now."