Countywide

In an attempt to reduce the growing amount of solid waste in landfill areas, local agencies are banding together to promote the recycling of the estimated 2 million phone books thrown away each year.

Many recyclers do not accept phone books, which are of low value because the books are printed with insoluble ink and their gummed binding could cause recycling machines to malfunction, said Rosemary Leigh, director of San Diego Ecology Centre. The facility has been under contract to the city and county since 1970 to educate the public on recycling.

“Over the years, less and less places began taking phone books to the point where a lot of people don’t even know they can be recycled anymore,” Leigh said.

Four agencies have agreed to participate in the drive until the end of May, as well as companies downtown, in Clairemont and in North County.