Jan 5, 2009 9:59 pm US/Eastern
How Many People Really Use The Yellow Phone Book?
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Their Web site says Yellowbook and other directories produce more than 500 million directories each year costing the environment 19 million trees, 7.2 million barrels of oil, and 3.2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity.
WBZ
Chances are, one will be on your doorstep soon, if it hasn't already arrived. It's delivery time for the
Yellowbook, that "go-to-guide" for everything from A to Z.
In Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood on Monday, bright yellow bags hung from door handles and stacks sat waiting on stoops for residents to carry them inside.
But, not everyone does. "Honestly, I put it in the recycle bin," said Matt Birmingham of Boston.
Christina Watka's book doesn't even make it in her house. "Usually I bring it to work and recycle it," she said.
The group
YellowPagesGoesGreen.org is encouraging people to reject the directory, saying it's bad for the environment.
Their Web site says Yellowbook and other directories produce more than 500 million directories each year costing the environment 19 million trees, 7.2 million barrels of oil, and 3.2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity.
Yellowbook spokesperson Jared Kreiner disputes that saying, "Approximately 40 percent of the fiber used to produce directories is recycled fiber, with the balance made up from forestry waste, such as wood chips and pulp."
Both Birmingham and Watka say they don't need the directory because they have the Internet.
Tom St Louis of Marlboro, who's from a slightly earlier generation, says he absolutely still uses the Yellowbook for business to business purposes.
While he does use the Internet for some things, he likes the Yellowbook. "I'm a little bit 'old school,'" he said.
Yellowbook says you can call and opt out of getting the directory.
YellowPagesGoesGreen.org says they've tried that, but with only limited success.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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