Cut Down Litter with "No Flyer" Signs

Thanks to fellow PLGer Karen Oh, Hawthorne Hardware is now selling these lovely "no flyer" signs for people to post on their stoops. Karen originally made the flyers for her Sterling Street block association, and I bugged her for the template in order to make more.

Posting "no flyer" signs not only cuts down on the litter in front of your own place, it reduces litter in the whole. Once a certain threshold of residents on any given block have signs posted, the people who deliver circulars will consider the block a waste of time and avoid it.

The signs, which are neither huge nor hideous, cost $1 and can be purchased at Hawthorne Hardware (Flatbush at Hawthorne).

Comments

[ceelledee]

I found 2 flyers from the "Clarkson Donut Shop" stuck in the front yard fence just this afternoon. This, despite the fact that I have TWO signs that warn "Do not place unsolicited advertising on this property" prominently displayed on the fence itself as well as on my front door! While posting these signs does help to cut down the littering, it doesn't cure this nuisance completely. I've found that sometimes you still have to call the business and threaten to report them to the City for violating the "no advertising/solicitations" directive. (I believe the fine is $250 per violation). And even that threat doesn't work all the time! Thing is, I just haven't gotten po'd enough yet to take the time out of my day to actually make good on it.

[carrie]

Yeah, the signs tend to be more effective against the large circulars than menus/flyers from restaurants. I actually like getting menus, though, so as far as I'm concerned that's a plus!

[Josh]

Another blight are the moving van flyers. FLatbush is a little hard to control, but an easy solution for side streets is to just take em down as soon as they go up. Its pretty easy to just quickly key the tape and unwind it from the light pole. It is beyond me why they feel they have to plaster every pole on every block.

[diak]

I completely agree with Josh. Litter taped to a pole is still litter. I cut them down every chance I get.
But then there's the neighbor having a stoop sale or is looking for a lost cat... I don't like every pole turned into an advertising billboard, but even I'm not that hard-assed.
It would be best if those who put them up also took them down after the sale or after kitty is home safe and sound.

[babs]

It would also be best if political candidates removed their bumper stickers from every lamppost in the area. I've called in 311 violations on all of the ones near me but they're still there, seven months after the elections. And they can't simply be torn off.

[Therealseanjohn]

There is a number one can call to block the distribution of flyers and leaflets (from major stores) to your home. It is similar to the number you call to block junk mail deliveries. It works for the most part - my household registered and it cut down on flyers stuck in our fence by about 60% I'll try to find the number and post for anyone interested.

[diak]

Babs, I certainly sympathize. And nothing says "I care about this community" like slapping hundreds of garish permanent stickers all over it.
But re the violations: the problem is likely that after the elections the losing candidates' organizations simply disband so there is no longer anyone "responsible" to give the violation to...
For the same reason, losing campaigns are notorious for leaving behind lots of unpaid bills.

And while we're venting our hate on the distributors of commercial litter, let's not forget the under-the-windshield-wiper variety. Seems that nearly all of those are on the ground a half day later.

[babs]

Actually, the winning candidate left a lot around too -- though the official explanation is that these were unauthorized postings by overzealous supporters. Whatever.