Save a tree: opt out of receiving phone books.

[Fridays Child]

I do all of my look-ups online so, for me, the book is a waste of trees--not to mention the environmental impact of manufacturing the book, itself.

Qwest customers can call the Dex Directory Source, at 800-422-8793, and request to opt out of receiving a phone book. If your provider is a different company, call customer service and request the number of whoever distributes directories.

By the way, if your power goes out, you won't be able to look up electric company's number, so be sure to keep it handy.

Cross-posted in the Environment/Energy forum.

[aquart]

1. Verizon directory assistance: $1.25 per request.

[Fridays Child]

5. Use dexonline.com. It's free.

:)

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

2. Quick Question.

Do you use a sponge to wipe? (rinseable) Why not?

Cause I would think the amount of toilet tissue we go through is far more plentiful than the once a year phonebook.

I'm not saying you don't have a thoughtful idea or that your heart isn't in the right place, I'm just saying I'm not sure phonebooks is the biggest waste of paper we could reduce.

[Fridays Child]

6. Now, OPERATIONMINDCRIME, did I say that this would save all trees?

Just remember that the many little ways in which we endeavor to reduce our personal impact on the environment do add up.

Oh, and the next time I'm at a loss for a gross analogy, may I call upon you? :P

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

7. LOL

:)

[lindisfarne]

66. Re-use newspaper as toilet paper to save more trees. Of course,

it will probably plug up your toilet. So I use toilet paper with 100% recycled paper content.

[im10ashus]

22. LMAO!

Very cute. :rofl: You were very clear on saving the one tree. :-)

Bless your heart for reminding us. It's so true. The more we reduce our usage the better. I opt out already. The more I can cut back, the less my environmental footprint.

:hi:

[Fridays Child]

29. Zee point! Im10ashus gets zee point! Yay!

:party:

Actually, I have a sneaking suspicion that OPERATIONMINDCRIME gets, it, too. But, surprisingly, there are some real cynics around here. Yeah, I know. I've been at DU since forever and I should not be so surprised.

Anyway, thanks for the prop and :hi: backatcha!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

38. Nah, Not Too Cynical. Was Being More Lighthearted Than Anything. Truth Be

told, I friggin hate phonebooks. Hear Hear to gettin rid of those damn things LOL

[Fridays Child]

40. Hey, I knew it, all along!

You were funning me. :D Some others are awfully cynical, though. Now, I'm not one to name names but do the initials QuestionAll mean anything to you? }(

P.S. My admiration of your gross analogy was genuine. I always enjoy a well-placed scatological reference. :thumbsup:

[im10ashus]

53. I'm sure OPERATIONMINDCRIME gets it too.

We have to poke fun from time-to-time.

:hi:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

58. Wanna Know The Inspiration? (C'mon, You Know You Want To)

I'm an inventor on the side. One of my first attempts at inventive thought came when I was 8 yrs old. After going to the bathroom proceeding a conversation with my mother about recycling, I started to think. I told my mother I wanted to invent a 'shit sponge" because it didn't make sense that we had to wad up so much toilet paper to just use a surface area the size of a quarter LOL. I told her my invention was going to be a piece of plastic with sponge backing, but with clips on the side. It was going to be flexible and look somewhat like those V shaped painting sponges with handles to do corners of walls. Then you would just tear off one sheet of toilet paper, laid over the v shaped sponge and secured in the clips, and then wipe away! Only one square per wipe! :rofl:

My family made fun of me for the shit sponge for years. I laugh myself at it now, and that was the behind the scenes inspiration for my snarky reply LOL

Yeah, like you needed all that explanation from me. :)

[Fridays Child]

59. There is actually something like that on the market.

More specifically, it's an aid for the physically challenged but your idea reminded me of it.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

60. I Liked Mine Better :)

Learn somethin new every day though. Never seen somethin like that before.

[Fridays Child]

61. Yes. Your v-shape design is very...um, let me think how to say it...

:think:

...anal-dynamic!

[lindisfarne]

67. How about a bidet? In parts of Europe, they're standard. n/t

[karlrschneider]

3. France has had digital "phone books" for decades. It's a one-time deal

(don't know how much it costs if anything) and updates automatically...like a small laptop computer. Our book for a not-even big city is about 5 pounds...argh.

[Fridays Child]

11. That's a great idea.

We could call it the french book and the freepers could call it the freedom book.

Oh, that reminds me: when my daughter's music teacher was telling the class about french horns, some child of a wing nut had the impertinence to correct him, saying that it's not the french horn, it's the freedom horn. :eyes:

[dysfunctional press]

4. i like having the phone book.

and most of the trees used for paper anymore are ones that have been planted specifically for that purpose, so it doesn't really bother me.

plus- when the power goes out, i can still look up the number of the power company(although i don't have to look it up- 1-800-Edison1 is pretty easy to remember).

like another poster mentioned- get back to me when you've replaced your toilet-paper dispenser with a damp rag or sponge.

[Fridays Child]

8. Are you saying that I must be environmentally above reproach...

...before you would consider my suggestion?

And it doesn't matter that trees have been planted specifically for the purpose of manufacturing paper. The processing of trees grown for any purpose produces pollution.

As I said to that other poster, the many ways in which we can act to reduce our environmental impact do add up. So, I don't care if you keep your phone book, but why do you feel compelled to respond negatively to a small suggestion that may be acceptable to others?

[dysfunctional press]

12. toilet paper is a much bigger waste than phone books.

why wouldn't you go after that first?

paper isn't going to go away- get used to it.

[Triana]

14. I don't think anyone is advocating getting completely rid of paper...

...just suggesting conservation when/where possible and practical. Nothing wrong with that, IMO.

[Fridays Child]

15. That's exactly what I'm saying but I guess QuestionAll just wants to...

...shit on the idea. That's okay, though, because I'm sure that he has plenty of toilet paper handy. ;)

[dysfunctional press]

19. bevause to me, it's a silly idea...

and you still haven't answered why you wouldn't FIRST address the MUCH BIGGER waste of paper that is toilet paper...?

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. Go ahead and give up YOUR toilet paper

and get back to us to let us know how that went for you.

Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go throw out my phone book.

[Triana]

24. :) :)

:toast:

[dysfunctional press]

27. americans are such hypocrites...

patting themselves on the back for tossing out a phone book, while happily, selfishly, and unnecessarily flushing many pounds of paper down the toilet every year.

what a country.

and btw- i already personally have given up toilet paper(initially due to a medical condition...and no, it's not a colostomy)- although i still keep it stocked for wasteful company.

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. I don't even want to know the details.

I also find a conversation about toilet paper on DU to be just a bit silly.

[dysfunctional press]

44. you may find it silly- but it's a MUCH BIGGER WASTE of paper...

than phonebooks- and yet you don't seem to have a problem with that aspect of the thread...?
:eyes:

what a country...

[proud2BlibKansan]

50. Well since using toilet paper prevents the spread of

preventable diseases, I don't buy your argument. Now what health benefits do we have from phone books?

[Fridays Child]

39. Of course, you're not patting yourself on the back about it.

No, siree, bob. Hey, I'll bet that you don't own a private vehicle and never, ever, even ride in one. It's the ol' bicycle and public transportation for you. Do you also save electricity by burning the endless piles of crap that you, no doubt, produce in threads like this one?

Why don't you grab a cup of decaf and relax, dude? Then, maybe you'll see how it's much better to encourage conservation, in whatever form it presents itself, than to pitch headlong into a rant over someone else's humble efforts.

FC

P.S. I'm sure that your wasteful friends are utterly prostrate with gratitude that you would deign to provide them with a few squares of toilet tissue. Sheesh.

[dysfunctional press]

43. i'm not the one starting threads with inane suggestions.

like tossing out phonebooks to save the trees that were planted to produce said phonebooks...:crazy:

like i said- when you're ready to make a REAL effort at conservation- not just a walk across the room to drop a phone book in the trash, and then going online to publicly pat yourself on the back for your empty gesture-
let me know.

:eyes:

[Fridays Child]

56. "Inane" is insisting that I should continue to receive phone books...

...because I use toilet paper. No, wait a second. That's not inane. That's insane.

[Fridays Child]

31. I have responded to you.

I'm not ready to go without toilet paper. You just don't want to see my point.

Not everybody should give up their phonebooks. After all, many, many people aren't online and may never be. But, if we do that which is within reason for each of us, individually, it will have a positive impact on the environment. Why is this such a difficult concept for you to grasp?

And, as for the issue of jobs, it has been acknowledged that the greening of the planet will, indeed, have an economic impact. And, while I'm not learned enough to participate in such discussions, no less than the likes of Al Gore believes that, if we can make the necessary turnaround, there is reason to be optimistic on the economic front, as well. Old industries will phase out, slowly, and new technologies will provide new jobs. And the government needs to be involved at every level, from regulating to underwriting to training. Personally, I can't think of a better use of my tax dollars than saving the planet.

[dysfunctional press]

37. i understand hypocrisy just fine.

"I'm not ready to go without toilet paper..."

why not? it's a MUCH more wasteful habit than phone books- and completely unnecessary...a damp sponge is reusable- (and actually much more comfortable).

americans are always ready to make the easy, meaningless gesture- and then make a public display of patting themselves on the back for it...but as for the things that require a tad more effort than a one-time trip to the garbage can- it's 'fuck the planet'- "I'M not ready"...

i say again-
what a country.

[Fridays Child]

47. No honest effort to conserve, no matter how small, is hypocritical.

The hypocrisy in this thread lies in your representation that, if one is unwilling to give up toilet paper, giving up phone books is a bad thing. And your attempt to defend such a position defies reason.

[dysfunctional press]

49. it's a meaningless gesture that takes no effort.

if you were truly concerned about the waste of paper, you'd give up toilet paper- but that's obviously too much effort for you.

what a country... :eyes:

[Fridays Child]

55. Thankfully, we have you to tell us what is meaningful and what is not.

How in the world did this board ever get along before you arrived?

[lindisfarne]

70. Reuse a damp sponge covered with fecal matter? It's going to have

to be sanitized in between uses - that's not environmentally sound, either. Do you have any idea of what kinds of diseases are spread by fecal matter? And a damp sponge is a fairly decent growing medium for bacteria. Unless it's a natural sponge (from the animal), it's likely to involve synthetic materials which aren't biodegradable. Unless you are suggesting something like cotton washcloths - which would have to be washed between uses, and fairly quickly, or they would reek to high heaven.

Toilet paper made with 100% recycled content is a much better solution. Or a bidet.

[lindisfarne]

69. Toilet paper made from 100% recycled paper content is the answer.

[lindisfarne]

68. Toilet paper made with 100% recycled paper content is the answer.

It's available.

[dysfunctional press]

16. phone books represent a lot of jobs, too.

from sales to design to printing to delivery...what are those people supposed to do?

[Fridays Child]

18. They needn't worry. Folks like you will keep them in business.

:eyes:

[dysfunctional press]

20. while folks like you would rather put them out in the street?

nice attitude...

:eyes:

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. Have you ever delivered phone books?

It is back breaking poor paying work.

[dysfunctional press]

28. and yet people still do it...

it's almost as if they need the money for some reason or another.

but who cares if the poorest of the poor have yet another source of income yanked away...?

i suppose that they can always sell 'streetwise'...(oops- maybe not- it's printed on 'gasp'...paper. )

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. Oh yeah I am sure that eliminating phone books

is going to result in homelessness and starving children.

:sarcasm:

[dysfunctional press]

45. well- it's probably one of those jobs that americans refuse to do...

so it must not matter anyway.

:eyes:

and some people consider themselves progressive...

[lindisfarne]

71. OK, your line of reasoning is getting a bit ridiculous now. n/t

[Fridays Child]

33. Oh yes. I'm all about putting people out of work.

Just search my user name and go through my previous 13,000+ posts. :eyes: Or you could read my post #31, on this thread.

By the way, for you to impugn my attitude is laughable unto absurdity.

[dysfunctional press]

48. that's what this thread is pretty much all about.

if it was about conserving paper- you wouldn't dismiss the idea of getting off the wasteful toilet paper habit.

[proud2BlibKansan]

52. Are you pro hepatitis?

[Fridays Child]

54. QA must have that extremely rare combination of psychiatric disorders...

...toilet-specific papyrophobia phobia and telebibliophilia. Maybe the Discovery Health Channel should do a one-hour special on him.

[Triana]

65. "Ignore" is a wonderful thing! :) (n/t)

[lonestarnot]

9. Going to do just that! Thanks!

[lonestarnot]

10. done!

[Fridays Child]

17. ¡Qué bueno!

:thumbsup:

[lonestarnot]

34. Es para los arboles! Viva los arboles!

[Triana]

13. I h8 phone books

Never use 'em. I have VOIP but the damned phone co STILL foists one of those damned paper hairballs on me every year. I just drop 'em in the recycle bin. Sheesh.

[Iris]

21. I adore phone books.

And my sister, who doesn't keep them around, frequently calls me to look up numbers she can't find online.

[Fridays Child]

42. A simple statement as to why this strategy wouldn't work for you.

Nicely said and you didn't attack anyone, in the process. I should direct QuestionAll to your post. He could learn a lot from you. :)

[Iris]

57. ha! Thanks! I've been working on my "tone" lately!

O8)

[Imajika]

26. I think this is a good idea...

...I don't want laws banning phone books, but we can all opt out of getting them on our own. If enough people opt out, the company's that make these phone books will stop making them.

Also, if phone books go away, perhaps many of those folks who have been avoiding the online world may just have to dip their toe in. Getting everyone online is a good thing in my view.

These are just the kind of simple things we can do on our own to reduce our negative impact on the environment. Additionally, these are the kind of pro-environment things that also may have other positive side effects (getting more people online).

I will see if I can opt out right now.

Good idea Friday's Child.

edited for spelling

[killbotfactory]

30. also recycle

that should be obvious.

[proud2BlibKansan]

36. Maybe you could use the pages as toilet paper?

[Fridays Child]

41. It's pretty thin paper, so I imagine it would go down okay.

I'm not too sure about sporting phone book ink on the ol' butt cheeks, though. I'd have to give up my thong bikini. Oh, wait, I never owned one. Hey, you might just have a great idea there! :P

[serryjw]

46. Pick up or have drop offs for the old ones

I had 5 years of phone books, no place to drop off so they could be recycled, and no car....I was pissed

[Fridays Child]

51. I can imagine.

Around here, the phone company (or maybe it's the county) provides phone book bins at grocery stores and other high traffic locations. But they only do it for a month, or so, around the time that the new books are being delivered. I wonder if my recycling service will take them. I'm going to have to check on that because I have several that I need to recycle, too.

[conflictgirl]

62. Of all the things to argue over

:eyes:

No one here is saying that phone books should be outlawed altogether and made unavailable to people who want them, just pointing out that it's possible to opt out of getting new ones every year.

I use a printed local phone book as well as online lookups. I have one big drawer in my kitchen that has SIX phone books that we have acquired just since we moved into this house almost a year and a half ago. And we're not even in a big city with a lot of tiny suburbs around it, that might necessitate multiple phone books. We just got *yet another* phone book last week and it's still sitting on my porch, because I have absolutely no idea what to do with it.

[Fridays Child]

63. Pretty dumb, huh?

I suppose I could have deployed the "ignore" feature. It probably would have been just as effective as arguing. :banghead:

[Scout1071]

64. I'm in the same place. I get about 4 per year for my little

apartment.

[LaPera]

72. Phone Books should be recycled by the distributors when they offer

a new version each year.