San Francisco Passes Yellow Pages Ordinance

Green Chamber of Commerce Backs Ground-Breaking Legislation to Improve City, Business, and Green Public Policy

The Green Chamber of Commerce celebrated their participation in making the first national Yellow Pages Ordinance become a reality. In a 9-1 vote, yesterday, San Francisco City Supervisors finalized their decision to become the first city in the country to stop the unwanted delivery of over 1 million Yellow Pages telephone books annually.

The Yellow Pages Ordinance, proposed by City Supervisor David Chiu, will kick off May 2012 during a three-year pilot program. The program will help save residents and businesses the agony of disposing the unwanted tomes, and contribute to San Francisco’s zero waste and low-emissions goals. Any business or resident who wants the phone book, can still have it delivered.

Alexia Marcous, Green Chamber of Commerce Vice President, said the strong business case for this legislation will help support green business practices and also improve the Yellow Pages marketing: “Internet advertising is more cost-effective for local businesses because it reaches target audiences and can be more easily tracked and measured. Social media and technology have opened more channels to directly connect with consumers, interactively; in real time,” she said.

Green Chamber member Namrata Patel, owner of Green Dentistry, a San Francisco dentistry practice agrees: ” The evolution of the internet has opened boundaries that are global for small business and are not limited by a 11″ by 11″ yellow book.  Small business now reach markets by niche meaning people seek them out for a specific reason – such as “green” – and follow online reputation and reviews,” she said.

“The Green Chamber was an important business voice in support of a groundbreaking, common-sense policy that is both good for the environment and good for our economy,” said Supervisor David Chiu.

Dave Grenell, policy consultant and co-author of the Ordinance worked closely with The Green Chamber to get green businesses involved in the proposed legislation.

“While other cities have looked at opt-out programs – these policies are often window dressing – because experts predict they will only restrict unwanted phone books by 10%. The Green Chamber was able to put forth the case for a robust program that will restrict unwanted phone books by as much as 80%,” said Grenell.

“Ted Egen, the City Economist agreed with The Green Chamber’s analysis which was key in convincing elected officials to vote in favor and issued a report saying this law would put back $12 million dollars into the local economy and create 111 jobs. San Francisco receives over 1.6 million per year – which is two for every man, woman and child in the city.  This law will save millions of tons of paper waste and save residents money on their garbage bill,” Grenell said.

Janet Pomeroy, President of the Board of Directors for the Green Chamber of Commerce said the chamber got involved in every step of the process. “We spoke out at press conferences, City Council and the San Francisco Small Business Commission meetings; attended conference calls with Yellow Pages representatives, took press interviews, and co-authored op-eds. “This is was a policy that our members could get behind because it makes a positive impact on our community, allows businesses to go greener and has helped our organization build strong alliances with a community that is pushing for economical, green solutions,” she said.

Other cities who want to adapt the policy may contact The Green Chamber for more information.