Buried In Phonebooks?

The loud “THUMP” on our front porches and driveways each year signals delivery of phone directories – often multiple directories from multiple companies. Oregon DEQ estimates that in 2003 there were 6.45 million sets of white/yellow pages published and distributed in Oregon, despite the fact that there were only 1.33 million households in the state.

Recycling outdated or unwanted phone books is certainly an option. Recycling a three-pound phone book saves resources and also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 5.9 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent. But not printing that same phone book prevents three times the amount of greenhouse gas emissions − 18.1 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent. (Source: Oregon DEQ.)

Some people don’t want or need the directories at all, but haven’t known what to do, other than dropping them right into their recycling cart or bin. Oregon DEQ offers the following guidance for opting out of phone books you don’t want:

DEX/Qwest
1. Go to dexknows.com. Select “Directory Options” in the small gray print at the bottom of the page.
2. Enter your Zip code and click through screens until you see “Personalize Your Directory Order.”
3. Fill in your address and contact information, and from the dropdown menu, select “0” or the number of directories you wish to receive. Or, call 1-800-422-8793 and press 2 to speak with a representative.

Yellow Book
Call 1-800-929-3556 and press 3 to speak with a representative.
Other Phone Books
Check on the front cover or inside page for a customer service number to “order directories.”

Remember, recycling is important, but not making the waste in the first place is our best solution to reducing our impact on our surroundings. Together we can Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle to “Trash Douglas County Less!”