Oct 11 - WA - Seattle City Council Votes to Reduce Phone Book Waste

Seattle City Council just approved an opt-out system for unwanted deliveries of Yellow pages.

Seattle Public Utilities estimates nearly 2 million yellow pages phone books are dropped off in Seattle every year, costing approximately $350,000 to recycle.

The new law creates an Opt-Out Registry for Seattle residents and businesses, accessible via web, phone or by mail. The City expects to hire a contractor to run the opt-out registry, which will be funded by Yellow Pages publishers.

In addition, Yellow pages publishers begin paying for recycling of unwanted and outdated yellow pages directories beginning next year.

According to Councilmember Mike O’Brien, who chairs the committee and is the prime sponsor of the legislation:

Seattleites are constantly looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment, and the Council has heard from an overwhelming number of people who don’t want phone books. Creating a one-stop shop managed by a third party will help reduce clutter, increase residential security, and, save Seattle Public Utilities customers, the people of Seattle, money. This is a win-win for Seattle.

Read the press release.