Sustainable Mail™

Launched in April 2009*, Sustainable Mail™ is a little known service from Royal Mail and one which SOLO is keen to promote. By meeting the specification we can help you demonstrate your commitment to recycling, sustainability, reduced waste and at the same time we can help you to save up to an additional 4% (over regular Mailort discounts) on your postage costs.

Sustainable Mail is available on all variants of Mailsort® (except Mailsort® Light) and for letters and large letters only. Initially Sustainable Mail™ will focus on direct mail and will support the introduction of PAS 2020, the forthcoming environmental BSI standard for Direct Marketing developed by the DM industry and supported by Royal Mail.

SOLO will advise you on Royal Mail's specification for Sustainable Mail™ and will give you guidance on how we can prepare your mail to minimise your environmental impact by improving targetting, using sustainable resources and materials and ensuring the design of your mailing encomapsses the use of recyclable materials,

Downstream Access Suppliers (DSAs)

Since the de-regulation of the postal market SOLO has forged strong links with alternative mail carriers like TNT, UKMail and DHL. We now have contracts running with the major tried and tested suppliers in the marketplace and can offer our clients impartial advice on which carrier is the most cost effective for their individual requirements. We have proprietary software which will determine the best overall solution taking into account cost and service level. We have regular collections by the major players and sort mail to the exacting requirements of each. Each bag or tray of pre-sorted mail carries a barcode which is scanned through every part of the mail network. The chain is only complete when a signature is collected for every sealed bag handed over to the local Royal Mail sorting office. These services allow SOLO's customers to more efficiently plan for their mailings. Day-definite services guarantee when your customers will receive correspondence. In cases for less time sensitive items, SOLO also offer cost-reduced unsorted mailings which can be less expensive than Royal Mail's standard second class tariff.

Ask a SOLO representative to review your current operation and to advise on the most cost effective way for you to make sure you get the most of your Direct Mail.

Getting the most from your post

Since 2006 UK mail has not been costed on weight and class of service alone. Royal Mail introduced new criteria which meant that the length, width and thickness of your mailing pieces together with their weight and service determines the price. SOLO's team is well placed to advise customers on how their mail should be sent to make the most of their post.

For example: with just one fold in your document you could save up to 30% on First Class rates. Your A4 letter sent out unfolded in a C4 envelope is classed as a 'large letter'. If you fold your A4 letter to fit a DL or a C5 envelope you could significantly reduce your postage costs since Royal Mail class this mail as a 'letter'.

What are the differences between 'letters', 'large letters' and 'packets'?

'Letters' include most letters, postcards, greetings cards, bills, statements and some brochures and catalogues. 'Letters' are A5 or less in size, half a sheet of standard A4 paper, 5mm in thickness and 0 -100g in weight.

'Large Letters' include most brochures, catalogues, company reports, magazines, CDs and DVDs. 'Large letters' must not exceed 353mm x 250mm in size (slightly larger than standard A4 paper) and 25mm in thickness. 'Large letters' may contain unfolded sheets of standard A4 paper.

'Packets' include VHS cassettes, some books, magazines and catalogues, parts and samples, foodstuffs, prints and posters in cylindrical packaging. 'Packets' are any item longer than 353mm or wider than 250mm or thicker than 25mm or heavier than 750g. The maximum weight allowed for Second Class items is1kg.