For those people wanting to know how to get their directory enquiry searches for free online, read the lastest guidance on the 192.com blog: http://blog.192.com/
In just three weeks since the launch of the campaign the e-petition on the Downing Street website (http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/NoPhonebooks/) has become the most supported environmental petition, even overtaking a petition calling for a stop to Heathrow’s third runway! The petition has reached 26th position in the full list of more than 4,500 petitions running on the site demonstrating the widespread support of the British people. The ‘Say No To Phonebooks’ petition has already accumulated over 5,500 signatures, a number that is growing daily.
We are now looking to gain the support of UK school children by working in partnership with Intuitive Media, an award-winning safe social learning network provider. In a survey of school children on SuperClubsPlus.com and GoldStarCafe.com, 83% said they were very concerned about the environment and 85% said that phone books should only be sent to those who ask for them. The campaign has challenged these kids to find the best alternative use for unwanted phonebooks whether that be through sculptures, structures or other creative concepts.
Since the launch of the campaign a number of leading UK councils have also offered their support to the campaign including Hammersmith & Fulham, Kingston Council and Wandsworth Council.The video has also already had more than 2500 views on YouTube and there have been lively discussions on the Facebook fan page engaging hundreds of campaign fans.
We need more support to make things happen so please get your friends and family to sign the petition!
The Sun newspaper has declared that the number could be up for phone books.
“More than 75 million are delivered to UK homes each year but a campaign begins today to slash this figure to cut waste. Online directory service 192.com and Global Action Plan want us to “opt in” to get a new directory.”
Leo Hickman, Environment Editor at the Guardian, comments today on the ‘Say No To Phonebooks’ campaign today:
“But the point about this particular campaign is that it is pointing out that a significant percentage of people (including me – and, yes, I will now be opting out, now that I know about it) don’t want these things left on their doorstep. Whereas with a newspaper I ‘opt in’ by going into a newsagent and buying one – they are not left on my doorstep unwanted alongside all the other junk mail we have to put up with. (Of course, there is a debate to had about the distribution method of freesheets.) Personally, I think this opt-in idea for phonebooks is a good one – a bit like why people are arguing for organ donations to be operated (sorry) on an opt-out basis. It just makes sense. Period.”
Today, 192.com officially launches the Downing St e-petition as part of its ‘Say No To Phoneboks’ campaign. If you believe that we should have a choice whether 3 telephone directories a year are dumped on our doorsteps, then sign the e-petition now: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/NoPhonebooks/
The annual production of phonebooks in the UK equates to 62,000 tons of waste – enough to cover Hyde Park, two phonebooks deep! You can also see what phonebooks are costing the earth on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg4VEKqQvNc
You’re welcome to add this viral to your own website to help spread the world about the totally unnecessary waste of natural resources that goes into unwanted phonebooks. Find instructions in the top right hand corner our YouTube page.
According to Scientific American, research from White pages in the U.S. notes that less than 16 percent of adults recycle their old or unwanted phone books. The company is sponsoring a “Ban the Phone Book“ initiative to encourage phone book “opt-in” delivery programs. The plans which require subscribers to request the books, are already appearing in areas such as Georgia, Ohio and Florida. Other areas do offer an opt-out system.
