27 May 2008 – Online directory 192.com has launched a campaign for an easy way to opt out of receiving phone books.
The campaign calls for the introduction of an opt-out system for telephone directories, similar to the Mailing Preference Service. 192.com claims that 80 per cent of people do not use paper telephone books and that the same percentage would back a petition for a central opt-out system.
The campaigners argue that it is unacceptable that an estimated 75 million telephone directories are delivered to British households and businesses every year at a time when more than 60 per cent of households have access to the internet.
On its website, saynotophonebooks.com, the campaigners say: "While the majority of Boroughs now offer some sort of recycling facility for phonebooks, it is estimated that only 60 per cent of phone books actually get recycled. With 25 million households receiving an average of three phone books a year, that is a mountain of waste - a 75,000 tonne mountain to be exact.
"Add in the energy and water wasted in producing, delivering, collecting and recycling phonebooks and we think its time we put a stop to this out-dated environmental menace."
People supporting the campaign for a "centralised and highly publicised opt-out system for telephone directories" are invited to join the 'Say no to phone books' facebook group.