192.com calling for telephone directory opt-out
Online directory 192.com has launched a campaign for a central opt-out scheme for paper directories. Such a scheme should be based on the Mailing Preference Service.
192.com claims 80% of people no longer use paper directories and that the same percentage would back the introduction of a central opt-out service for phone books.
The campaigners argue that it is unacceptable that an estimated 75 million directories are delivered to British households and businesses every year at a time when more than 60% 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% 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."