Posts Tagged ‘environment’

Yellow Pages Marks Earth Day With Sustainability Report Launch

Thursday, April 22, 2010

As you may already know, today marks an important day to encourage environmental awareness and appreciation of our natural surroundings.  Earth Day turns 40 today and we thought there was no better time to issue our first-ever Yellow Pages industry sustainability report.

Leading the development of this report has been a big, but rewarding job.  I am pleased to work with so many Yellow Pages companies that are making great progress on the sustainability front.  We’ve come a long way since we launched our environmental guidelines in 2007, but unfortunately many of the efforts aren’t widely known or publicized.  I’m hopeful this report helps us get the word out and clears up common misperceptions about our industry’s environmental impact.

Yellow Pages industry successes include:

  • Launch of consumer choice programs (www.yellowpagesoptout.com) to give consumers a choice to reduce or stop directory delivery.
  • Use of directory paper that contains recycled content and fiber derived from lumber byproducts – making it unnecessary to use new trees to produce Yellow Pages.
  • A 29% reduction in the use of directory paper since 2006, as a result of programs to reduce the size of directories, use of more efficient pagination systems, and expansion of digital and mobile search products.
  • Implementation of soy-based inks and nontoxic dyes that pose little threat to soil or groundwater supplies and adhesives in the binding process that are eco-friendly and non-toxic.
  • Support of recycling and up-cycling programs that ensure directories have a life after use.

Of course, this effort isn’t only about celebrating our progress but also setting the stage for where we need to go.  While we’ve made good progress, we must focus on continuous improvement and have outlined our vision and goals for the year ahead.

Click here to read the full 2010 Sustainability Report.

In the spirit of today, I would also encourage you to check out the Earth Day Action Center website to find out what green events are going on in your area.

April 22, 2010 | Leave a Comment
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Colorado Lawmakers Decide Not to Legislate

Thursday, March 4, 2010

On Wednesday, several Denver media outlets reported that a Colorado legislative committee defeated a proposed bill that would have created laws regarding opt out procedures for Yellow Pages print directories.

A key reason that the legislation was overturned in a bipartisan vote is that Yellow Pages companies – both collectively and individually – have already introduced consumer choice programs aimed at helping consumers manage their print deliveries.

As we told the Denver Post, our industry has no economic incentive to deliver a phone book to someone who doesn’t want one.   That’s why we launched www.YellowPagesOptOut.com to make it easy for consumers to find information about stopping delivery of directories they don’t want.

We’re working on a number of fronts to educate the public about the industry’s efforts.  Generally, when we can have a conversation with a concerned individual about what we’ve done so far and what we are dedicated to doing going forward, we’re able to demonstrate that the industry is working to be responsive to consumers.

One topic that comes up often is how we are impacting the environment – specifically, how many trees are cut down to make directory paper.  One thing that shocks people most is that it is not necessary to use new trees to produce print Yellow Pages.  Directories today are produced from recycled materials (mostly old newspapers and old directories) and byproducts of the lumber industry. Along with recycle fiber, the waste wood chips generated from converting a round tree into square lumber is used to make our paper.

One other important factor that I think many on the Colorado legislative committee considered is the role Yellow Pages companies play in the local economy.

We work directly with nearly three million small business advertisers to help generate local leads for their products and services.  Given the difficultly small businesses face in this difficult environment, it isn’t a good time to legislate one of their best marketing tools.

Plus, Yellow Pages companies themselves are an economic engine by employing thousands of people and paying tax revenue to state and local governments.

I’m hopeful that Colorado’s decision will help increase dialogue about the continued importance of the Yellow Pages industry to communities and all our efforts to be responsive to consumers.

March 4, 2010 | 1 Comment
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