With the advent of the Internet, why are phone books still mass produced?

Question

No bull, I get 6-7 phone books a year. Isn't this a terrible waste of resources? I understand that some people still need them. It would not be hard to implement a system where by checking a box on your phone bill you could request a phone book.

Answer 1

well they could at least cut down on the phone books.

but not everyone has a coumpter to find phone numbers and stuff,

thats why they made a phone book.

for fast and easy way of finding number if you dont have a coumpter.

Answer 2

The practical answer is that they are being published because they are still profitable for the publishers. Also, there are still many people, mainly seniors, who don't use the internet. Furthermore, even people who do use it don't have their computers on all the time.

As for the environmental impact, the paper can be recycled.

Answer 3

not everybody has internet and not all business have websites

Answer 4

I'd rather have a phonebook instead of being required to turn on the computer to find a phone number. Besides, what if there's an emergency and the power went off? Besides, I find we're quite too dependent on computers.

Answer 5

How bout check a box on your bill opting out instead. I for one still use the phone book. It is much more convenient than having to fire up my computer just to get a phone number and address that most times some website wants me to pay for. What I don't care for are those ridiculous 'local' phone books that don't have everyones number in it anyway so they become worthless to keep. So out to the grey barrel they go. From the driveway to the recycle bin with no stop to the inside of my house.

If you're on the ressources soap box, how about the tons of excess newpaper pages I throw away everyday that I don't read. the sports section and all those ads for cars and houses. A waste of resources!

How about the tons of junk mail I get everyday in my mail box. There's a waste that I don't even appreciate to participate in.

The answer to your demise is simple: 'This is America! The land of free enterprise! What is one persons trash is another persons passion! So we have it all, whether we want it or not. Someone else does!'

There was a spot in the news a few years back of a guy who was intentionally subscribing to junk mailers in order to use the paper to keep his house warm . No kidding he burnt the stuff in his pot belly stove to keep the house warm all winter.

Now there's a free thinker!

Answer 6

That would be a great idea. I agree - with all the go green, energy & resource conservation I can't believe that they even still do this. Not to mention how many people use 411!

Incognito...i believe that's why they included 'if you want one you can check a box on your phone bill'....lol

Answer 7

Seems pretty stupid to me.  I have no used a phone book in years.  Go to the front of the phone book, there is a number there to call and order more phone books.  Ask them to send you to the dept to cancel your phone books.  I did this for our home and my office.  You will stop getting phone books, you just have to ask them to stop.

Answer 8

For you it does sound like a terrible waste of resources. There isn't a logical reason that you are receiving more than one phone book a year. However, most phone companies allow you to cancel your phone book deliveries with just a phone call. Phone books are made out of about 40% recycled material and they come in handy for people that do not have internet access at home, want to call someone without turning on an electric appliance, or people calling from phonebooths (yes, they still exsist), hotels, etc. Most areas offer some sort of plan for the recycling of phonebooks. Although they are not as easy to recycle as newsprint, computer paper and cardboard you can find a program in your area by going to: http://www.yellowpages.com/recycle

It seems like your best bet is just cancelling the delivery.