charity plastic bags through letterbox

Seth Brundle

We receive these charity bags for clothing frequently through our letterbox. Im afraid that either my son or someone elses kid is going to find one and play with it.
What is the legal stuation about this practice? Is it littering? How can it legally be stopped?

lostexpectation

kbannon wrote:

We receive these charity bags for clothing frequently through our letterbox. Im afraid that either my son or someone elses kid is going to find one and play with it.
What is the legal stuation about this practice? Is it littering? How can it legally be stopped?

can you not put some sort box on the other side of your letterbox, save all your mial from the kids

hullaballoo

I didn't think they were allowed actually post the through the letter box. I'd imagine that would be covered by provisions on unsolicited mailings. Usually where I live, they just leave them on the doorstep, and we leave them for them to pick up - students tend to have very few disposable items!

Seth Brundle

lostexpectation wrote:

can you not put some sort box on the other side of your letterbox, save all your mial from the kids

I shouldn't have to place something there to protect my son from unwanted hazards.

dbnavan

kbannon wrote:

We receive these charity bags for clothing frequently through our letterbox. Im afraid that either my son or someone elses kid is going to find one and play with it.
What is the legal stuation about this practice? Is it littering? How can it legally be stopped?

I doubt very much it littering, I lived in america for a time the amount of junk mail they get is inhuman, you could save it all year and have a decient bonfire at holloween.

It is someone post mail or an item to you through your letter box, annoying yes but if you dont leave the bag out empty or full they will get the message, you could always just teach your son the dangers of bags. If he is too young to understand maybe he should be watched better, only solution I can see, not trying to be smart even though I just realised that sounds like I am.

Seth Brundle

I found that they aren't collected so i don't leave them back outside.
I tend to use the bags as dustbin liners so they are useful.
I still object to them delivering them. One that arrived today came from orphan Aid and claims to be a rgistered charity (#1014616) but the number could be made up and also seems to be a UK number. their telephone numbers are UK numbers.

Ironically at the bottom of the accompanying leaflet it states [their capitals!]...
"KEEP PLASTIC BAGS AWAY FROM CHILDREN"

Thirdfox

hullaballoo wrote:

I didn't think they were allowed actually post the through the letter box. I'd imagine that would be covered by provisions on unsolicited mailings. Usually where I live, they just leave them on the doorstep, and we leave them for them to pick up - students tend to have very few disposable items!

Hey Hulla,

Do you have the name of the statute that covers unsolicited mailing? I want to have a look at it...

Also, what about unsolicited phone calls? Does it matter that you are an unlisted (and private) number?

dermot_sheehan

kbannon wrote:

We receive these charity bags for clothing frequently through our letterbox. Im afraid that either my son or someone elses kid is going to find one and play with it.
What is the legal stuation about this practice? Is it littering? How can it legally be stopped?

Don't think it's covered by litering as i think there's a requirment that it be in a public place. Don't think covered by direct marketing as it's not being transmitted by a licenced postal operator.

Suitable action is for trespass. No one has the right to be on your property without your permission (statutory exceptions, fire brigade, guards with a warrant, licenced postal operators)

They could however argue that there was implied permission to receive charitable material, you could counteract this by informing them, either by post or by a sign that they do not have permission to enter and that if they do they will be tresspassing. If they persist then, sue for trespass.

Seth Brundle

crazy though!

dbnavan

Thirdfox wrote:

Hey Hulla,

Do you have the name of the statute that covers unsolicited mailing? I want to have a look at it...

Also, what about unsolicited phone calls? Does it matter that you are an unlisted (and private) number?

You can tell eircom u do not want your number used for marketing or sales purposes, doesnt stop them taking your number from a phone book but most direct calls are from a special list eircom sell to telemarketers. I took my number off it.

hullaballoo

Thirdfox wrote:

Hey Hulla,

Do you have the name of the statute that covers unsolicited mailing? I want to have a look at it...

Sure, it's just over...here...





*Patter of feet*

*Shouts* Sorry, I can't find it. I was sure I put it over here.




*Patter of feet*

I'll get it...I'll get it for you again another time.

Sangre

Put a sign outside saying no junk/charity mail.

maidhc

Thirdfox wrote:

Do you have the name of the statute that covers unsolicited mailing? I want to have a look at it...

Also, what about unsolicited phone calls? Does it matter that you are an unlisted (and private) number?

Data Protection Acts 1988 & 2003 (A compendium is available from dataprivacy.ie if you aren't into self-harm)

Directive 2002/58/EC as implemented (www.dataprivacy.ie also) - Provides for an amended National Directory Database which telemarketers must use.

Of course none of the above have any bearing on a plastic bag being shoved through your mailbox!

Thirdfox

Cool, thanks everyone!