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Minimizing Environmental Impact

As the leading trade association for the Yellow Pages industry, YPA is committed to working with our members to lessen the environmental impact of directory products. The Yellow Pages industry strives to make the environment safe by recycling, recovering and reusing materials.

Yellow Pages publishers and suppliers have invested in large capital projects to minimize the industry’s environmental impact. Due to more than a decade of close collaboration between Yellow Pages publishers and paper suppliers, directory components now include soy-based rather than petroleum-based inks and nontoxic dyes that pose no threat to soil or groundwater supplies.

Directory Paper Contains High Levels of Recycled Content

Additionally, publishers use paper containing high levels (40%) of recycled content. The paper industry has purchased and installed expensive equipment to manufacture recycled de-inked pulp. In addition to recycled pulp, directory paper contains fibre primarily derived from "residual chips," a byproduct of sawmills left after logs are converted to lumber. The chips become paper pulp instead of going into landfills or being burned. In the lumber harvesting process, only trees that are leftover and not suitable for lumber may be ground up and used for papermaking.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Yellow Pages directories represent only 0.3% of the municipal solid waste stream.  In comparison, standard mail and newspapers represent 2.4% and 4.9%, respectively. The industry strives to keep this number low, and Yellow Pages publishers actively pursue partnerships with local community groups, offering recycling programs and community environmental awareness activities to promote the recycling of old directories.

YP Industry Uses Resources Wisely

As large users of fibre, power and water, all major components of papermaking, we know they must be used wisely to ensure long term sustainability of our industry. YPA is dedicated to presenting accurate, reliable information on the environmental effects of the Yellow Pages industry. YPA is also working with national environmental groups on environmentally preferable practices related to telephone directory production and distribution.

Tips for Recycling Your Outdated Directories                                                                                                                           

• Check your local phone book for recycling information, usually in the front or back;
• If curbside recycling is offered in your community, recycle Yellow Pages directories by putting them in your curbside bin;
• If curbside recycling is not an option, visit your county’s solid waste department’s Web site for recycling information;
• Contact your local Yellow Pages publisher for phone book recycling drop-off locations; and
• Visit http://nrc-recycle.org/recycling101.aspx for recycling tips from the National Recycling Coalition.

For questions or comments please contact us at yellowisgreen@ypassociation.org