Verizon to limit distribution of white pages

The New York State Public Service Commission on Oct. 14 granted Verizon New York Inc. permission to provide residential white page directories only to customers upon request in order to reduce paper waste and improve the environment.

"There is understandable momentum in all aspects of our society to create a more ‘green' environment," said Commission Chairman Garry Brown. "Customers have many options regarding finding telephone numbers, and future technologies may make this task even easier. Our decision today helps reduce paper waste, while ensuring customers who want residential white page directories can still get them."

On May 7, Verizon requested a waiver of regulations, which currently require it to distribute a residential white pages directory to all customers in its service territory. Verizon, the largest telephone company in New York with about 5.1 million lines, estimates that approximately 5,000 tons of paper per year could be saved, as well as the significant energy costs associated with printing and distributing much larger directories statewide. According to Verizon, directories slated for delivery starting in January will not have the residential white pages included.

The company, through its directory publisher, SuperMedia LLC, will continue to distribute directories containing government and business white and yellow pages listings. Those directories will contain a toll-free number that customers would use to request a free printed residential white pages directory. A CD-ROM and online white pages directory service will also be available at no charge.