Sort it out
- SHORTLISTED FOR A CREATIVE CONSCIENCE AWARD -
(www.creativeconscience.org.uk/shortlisted-entries/?mc_cid=a5e3f71ebe&mc_eid=61b4ff5349)
This project looked at helping solve the annoying and hugely wasteful issue of postal junk mail. It might be easy for us to move it from doormat to recycling bin, but it would be better to never receive it in the first place.
So why doesn't everyone opt out? WRAP says common barriers include people not knowing how to, and having a lack of time to do it. That's understandable, as the process includes numerous steps that are scattered across different sites and services. It is a confusing, time consuming process.
The Website:
At the centre of this project is the proposal for a website, that would combine all of those scattered and confusing steps into one place.
The wider campaign would be dedicated to reducing junk mail for individuals, to allow households to feel more in control of what comes through their letterboxes.
As more people used the service, maybe businesses would start to consider whether they really need to be sending anymore rubbish.
The above image would be the homepage, with a short paragraph to introduce the site but not take too much of the user's time.
After being filled out, the site would:
- Send a free custom-sized letterbox sticker
- Provide the user with the Royal Mail opt out and the DMA forms
- Sign the user up with the MPS online
- Ask up to 3 charities (chosen by the user) to stop sending them junk mail
- Ask up to 3 charities (chosen by the user) to stop sending them junk mail
- Take the user off the open register
- Advise on how to prevent future junk mail
To do the things listed above, the site would need to gather information provided by the user.
The user would have to complete just 3 sections (above images), the aim of the site would be that it is simple to use and quick to complete. This would combat the barrier that people don't have enough time to opt out.
First they would provide their personal details, then give the dimensions of their letterbox (for their custom-sized sticker) and finally decide whether to print, or be posted, 2 forms that require hand-signing. There would be words of encouragement throughout, to keep people reassured that the process won't go on for ages.
That would be all the info the site would need, and then it would carry out all the steps necessary to reduce junk mail for the user!
The Video:
After completing the sections, the website would provide the opportunity to share a video on social media, to help promote the message. (Video below).
The Posters:
As another way to promote the message, and direct people to the website, posters made from 100% recycled junk mail would be used. They get the issue across, and create something useful and positive from the rubbish.
They would be used as a travelling installation, placed on high street and in town centres - near the shops.
That way, they are easily accessible for a wide audience and they are amongst the businesses/shops that are sending the junk mail. It would be a way to subtly call them out to try and provoke change.
