Unwanted Phone Books

Are Essentially Garbage

To the Editor:

I read with interest the article “White Pages or White Elephant” [8/8/08, page 1] concerning the drop off of unwanted phone books under our mailboxes. Please chalk me up as one who does not want one, let alone four, phone books delivered.

I have two points I’d like to make. First, if I drop “garbage,” which I consider these phones books to be, in anyone else’s yard, isn’t this littering? If it is littering, shouldn’t we fine AT&T for every instance of a dropped bag of phone books where it’s not wanted? If it’s not littering, and we can randomly drop garbage off at the edge of anyone’s property, I have a used computer monitor I’m looking to get rid of and the AT&T property on Queen Street may be as good as any location. Second, I think anyone who would like to see an “Opt-Out” option should contact his or her local state legislator and advocate for a state law to create one. Much like the “Do Not Call List,” the community could sign up to opt-out for phone book deliveries and any violations would result in a fine to AT&T.

Of course this all could be avoided if AT&T would be the responsible corporate citizen and recognize how environmentally unfriendly this is. How hard would it be to take steps to voluntarily create an opt-out option? It would be good for the environment, good for the town, and good for AT&T.

Brian Hartgraves

33 Little Brook Lane, Newtown                                 August 13, 2008