Seattle first to create Opt-Out Registry for phone books

Oct. 13

Seattle became the first city in the nation to create a registry that allows its residents and business to stop delivery of unwanted yellow pages phone books.

The new law passed by in an 8-1 vote by Seattle City Council on Monday creates an Opt-Out Registry that residents and businesses can access on the web, by phone or by mail and requires yellow pages publishers to pay the costs of operating the registry.

The legislation also sets out penalties for yellow pages publishers who continue to deliver books when requested not to. And it requires yellow pages publishers to begin paying for recycling of unwanted and outdated yellow pages directories beginning next year.

Seattle Public Utilities estimates nearly 2 million yellow pages phone books are dropped off in Seattle every year, costing approximately $350,000 to recycle.

"Seattleites are constantly looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment, and the Council has heard from an overwhelming number of people who don´t want phone books," said Councilmember Mike O´Brien, who chairs the committee and is the prime sponsor of the legislation. "Creating a one-stop shop managed by a third party will help reduce clutter, increase residential security, and, save Seattle Public Utilities customers, the people of Seattle, money."

The registry is expected to be ready for use by July 1, 2011.

Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Chrissy Kadleck at 330-865-6172 or wnintern@crain.com

w w w . w a s t e r e c y c l i n g n e w s . c o m