No-advertisement sticker with legal backing

Since 1999, a sticker is available for the mailbox of Brussels residents by which they can choose not to receive unaddressed advertisements and/or free newspapers. The sticker received legal backing through a regional decree, which entitles individuals to file a complaint if they receive unwanted advertising and/or newspapers in their mailbox despite having placed the sticker. At present, the sticker can be requested for free by phone or email from Brussels Environment. A complaint can easily be filed by completing an online form or sending a letter to Brussels Environment.

The share of mailboxes with stickers has grown from 11% to 20% between 2003 and 2011. In some municipalities (Etterbeek) it now reaches 34%.

This initiative include several instruments:

• Legislation - Regional decree stipulating that publishers of free printed unaddressed advertising or newspapers must comply with or enforce the actions of the regional government in order to limit the dissemination of free unaddressed printed materials.
• Communication: Intermittently information campaigns towards the general public through Brussels Environment website, video on paper waste prevention screened on local TV and online, press releases, explanatory folders, displays in libraries, town halls, etc. (the advertising campaign in 2000 included a video commercial (30 sec) screened in Brussels cinemas, a radio commercial; TV commercials on local TV and a 15-day poster campaign. The most effective proved to be radio and TV commercials).
• Distribution: From June 1999 to June 2010, 787,471 stickers were distributed. 465,000 in 1999 (all mailboxes); 2000-2002: 135,000 distributed + 61,000 printed upon request; 2003 and 2005: 20,000 printed each year and distributed upon request; 2009-2010: 86,471 stickers distributed actively.
• Organisational – contact point to file complaints: a contact person within Brussels Environment centralises and follows up complaints that can be filed online or through regular mail.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
E-mail: jvanbambeke@environnement.irisnet.be

General data

Waste prevention activity data