In my experience (as the head of Verification for a phone directory distribution company), the number of complaints received by my agents in regards to the proliferation of directories has exploded this decade, so much so that we’ve scripted responses to them. In response to a generic question of "Did you get the ___ book?" too many times a response is followed by editorial comments: "Why do I get so many books?" "You people are destroying the environment" etc.

As far as this issue is concerned, it is a shame that the directory industry is split into two groups: independents and incumbents. This will prevent a cohesive, rational response and could result in a situation where the representative organizations for each group (ADP and YPA) will spend as much time worrying about what the other organization is doing as they will in combating the regulation(s).

By working with government regulators, environmental groups, and other key figures, the directory publishing and distribution industry will be able to shape the inevitable regulation more to its liking. By fighting it until it’s written by legislatures and signed into law (and even after, in court cases), the industry will give away its chance to craft sensible and progressive legislation in favor of whatever the government wants to impose upon us.

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