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New directory section connects eco-friendly sellers with eco-conscious buyers
Burnaby (British Columbia), August 19, 2008 – Yellow Pages Group (YPG) launches the ecoFinder created to promote businesses that provide environmentally-preferable products or services or that have leading environmental operational practices. Throughout the month of August, residents of Burnaby, New Westminer, and their surroundings will receive their enhanced Yellow Pages™ directory including the ecoFinder aimed at helping them lead more sustainable lives.
“This pilot initiative represents an extension of our mission of finding the best seller for each buyer and of our commitment to corporate social responsibility,” said Annie Marsolais, Director of Corporate Communications for Yellow Pages Group. “We want to provide consumers with the most accurate resource to make informed purchasing decisions that contribute to environmental sustainability.”
Located right after the business pages of the Yellow Pages™ directory, the ecoFinder is identified by a green margin. The ecoFinder highlights over 2,000 environmentally responsible businesses in the Burnaby / New Westminster area. In addition to obtaining visibility within the print version, businesses will be identified on YellowPages.ca™ via an eco icon.
It also provides useful information regarding municipal and association initiatives, such as The Recycling Council of British Columbia’s programs to help residents and businesses improve their recycling habits a well as both municipalities’ Zero Waste Challenge.
Canadians are becoming eco-friendlier
Spending on eco-friendly products and services in Canada is expected to double this year to reach $55 billion.1 On the corporate side, 91% of businesses consider green factors at least occasionally when making purchasing decisions.2
Not surprisingly, a recent survey conducted on behalf of YPG revealed that 92% of Canadian residents think the creation of the ecoFinder section is a good idea. This confirms consumer interest for this tool, which YPG hopes will become a leading reference for environmental sustainability.
A credible tool created in partnership with TerraChoice
YPG partnered with TerraChoice, manager of the EcoLogoM program – Canada’s standard for environmental excellence – to develop a process for screening advertisers for inclusion in the ecoFinder. YPG relied on existing third-party certifications or assertions from the businesses themselves that their products, services or operational practices were considered leaders in environmental sustainability. Neither TerraChoice nor YPG certifies the businesses listed or advertised in this new section.
“TerraChoice applauds Yellow Pages Group for its vision and leadership in bringing to market a resource of environmentally-preferable businesses in selected regions across Canada,” said Scott McDougall, President of TerraChoice and its EcoLogoM Program.
A total of 34 categories were identified for the Burnaby / New Westminster ecoFinder, namely: Home Improvement & Maintenance, Moving & Storage, and Landscaping Products & Services. Businesses that were selected within these categories offer one or more of the following: sustainable construction materials made from recycled content or that conserve water and energy, biodiesel trucks, furniture recycling, organic farming methods, and chemical-free products, for example.
Don’t forget to recycle!
In line with its environmental commitment, YPG reminds citizens of the importance of recycling their old directory once their new one lands on their doorstep. Yellow Pages™ directories are completely recyclable, and the outdated edition can be placed with other mixed paper as part of the municipal recycling pickup.
About Yellow Pages Group
Yellow Pages Group is Canada's largest telephone directories publisher. It publishes annually more than 340 Yellow Pages™ and residential directories. The Company owns and manages Canada's most visited online directories, YellowPages.ca™ and Canada411.ca, as well as CanadaPlus.ca™, a network of seven local city sites. Yellow Pages Group is indirectly held by Yellow Pages Income Fund (TSX: YLO.UN).
Yellow Pages Group places great emphasis on corporate social responsibility in areas such as the environment, community involvement, charitable giving and corporate governance. In 2007, Yellow Pages Group was recognized by Macleans and Jantzi Research as one of Canada’s most responsible companies. For more information, visit www.ypg.com.
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View the following fact sheets:
YPG’s Environmental Commitment | Responsible Consumption in Canada | TerraChoice
To access the ecoFinder image, click here.
Contacts:
1 Green Brands2.5 Survey
2 EcoMarkets 2007, Terrachoice |
