Oktay Ortakcioglu/istockphoto
DCL
Phonebooks seem to defy all logic?how are they so ubiquitous and yet so obsolete? Almost everyone has the internet now, but almost everyone still has a phonebook, too. The folks at the Yellow Pages must have some serious marketing skills.
The enigma of their continued existence notwithstanding, they do present a very real environmental problem. Most people just throw away unwanted or outdated books, creating tons of waste every year.
We don't blame them ? they're tougher to get rid of in an eco-friendly way than you'd think. Many curbside recycling programs won't take phonebooks, since the pages are too fine to be properly recycled. The books are one of the un-recyclables your neighborhood pickup team won't snag, and it's understandably a source of frustration for plenty of people.
And since you don't order a phonebook ? they just tend to show up on your doorstep, mysteriously (those dastardly Yellow Pagers again) ? it's difficult to unsubscribe to something you haven't signed up for. So who to call? Where to write in to? There appears to be no easy solution to this baffling problem.
Not to worry. Here to help us with the unpleasant task of unsubscribing to your phonebook is Yellow Pages Goes Green, an organization that'll help you in cutting through the red tape on your way to freeing yourself from the giant, useless, too-often delivered, print-smudging-all-over-your-fingers-then-on-your-brand-new-white shirt, unholy relic of a book. Just fill out the quick cancellation form on their website and they'll take care of the rest. The service is part of a nationwide movement to stop the phonebook phenomenon, and it's a worthy cause.
Join the fight against an antiquated, waste producing institution! Unsubscribe to your phonebook today!
TAGS: Waste & Recycling, Technology, Organizations
