One Is Enough

How many "yellow page" phone books did you receive last year? If you live in a medium to large city, I'm betting it was at least two and maybe three. The printing and distribution of multiple, nearly identical annual directories for the same city-- plus smaller versions--is a needless waste of paper and fossil fuel. And the manner in which these books are distributed--dropped without notice or invitation on countless stoops in cities all across the country--blurs the line between littering and providing a community resource.

Why do so many companies produce directories and provide them free of charge? Because they are raking in money from advertisers. You see, directory publishers sell ads by bragging to advertisers about their distribution, which is huge because they drop directories all over town to build these numbers up. Unfortunately for the advertiser, distribution has nothing to do with readership. A technicality that is making directory publishers rich and duping advertisers.

Sure you can recycle phone books , but this won't replace the harvested trees, plant effluents and carbon dioxide emissions resulting from their overproduction. Recycling is reactionary--it's time to get proactive in stopping the waste from superfluous phone directories.

Even with online directories, most people still find it convenient to refer to a print directory from time to time--or even exclusively, and for this, one directory should suffice. Most people are unaware that they have the power to stop phone book deliveries. Ironically, you'll find the phone number to call to remove yourself from the distribution list inside each directory under the heading "To request additional copies, call:" You can also go to yellowpagesgoesgreen.org and opt out of receiving unsolicited phone books.