South Bay : TRASH IT

Recyclers are giving residents in Carson a reason to get rid of their telephone books. Pacific Bell Directory and GTE California have launched a campaign in conjunction with the city that urges residents to drop off books in exchange for a $5 discount at the Dominguez Golf and Practice Center.

The old South Bay Phone Book Recycling Program is asking for the used phone books as the new books are distributed, said Heather Mindel-Plutt, a regional recycling manager at Pacific Bell. The recycled books will be turned into billing envelopes for the company--300 envelopes per four-pound book.

Meanwhile, Inglewood residents can also recycle their phone books, but only for altruistic reasons. The satisfaction of helping reduce strain on landfills is apparently the only incentive because no discount coupons are in the offing.