City leaders in San Francisco voted to restrict delivery of the Yellow Pages to people who opt in. Internet search directories have rendered the Yellow Pages obsolete for many (although not all) people. San Francisco would be the first city to restrict delivery of the Yellow Pages so extensively. It was also the first city in the country to ban plastic grocery bags.

Almost 1.6 million copies of the Yellow Pages were delivered each year in San Francisco, leading to 7 million pounds of paper waste, according to city statistics reported by the Los Angeles Times. City officials said the Yellow Pages clogged recycling equipment, causing expensive repairs. Residents can still choose to get the Yellow Pages delivered to their doorstep. And the legislation includes outreach to seniors, non-English speakers and others who may not have ready access to the Internet.

Other cities have implemented opt-out programs to try and curb delivery of unwanted directories. In Seattle, almost 17,000 households have stopped delivery under such a measure, effectively ending the delivery of over 100,000 copies of the Yellow Pages in that city.

Anyone in the country actually has the option to restrict or cancel home delivery of the Yellow Pages by visiting the National Yellow Pages Consumer Choice and opt-out site.

Do you get the Yellow Pages? Do you use the Yellow Pages as a handy search directory or as a booster seat or doorstop? Tell us about any handy ways you might utilize the tomb of local directories around the house.

San Francisco likely to crack down on Yellow Pages [Los Angeles Times]

San Francisco Moves To Ban Yellow Pages [National Public Radio]

San Francisco Set to Ban Unsolicited Phone Books [GOOD]

Seattle news on “opt-in” program [seattlepi]

San Francisco On Track To Ban Yellow Pages [Consumerist]