Phone book 1 - pile at doorAre you a fan of the yellow pages? Yeah, neither are we. We’ve been following Seattle’s effort to create an opt-out registry for phone books since last June, and the long wait is over.

Today, Seattle Public Utilities unveiled its new phone book opt-out system, where you can decide which books you’d like to receive, and which you don’t. Publishers are looking at a steep fine of up to $125 for each violation.

No, it’s not the ideal “opt-in” system, where you’d have to request a book from a publisher—but it’s a start. And it’s great to see the city put some muscle behind a registry that’s previously been voluntary.

Photo courtesy of Sightline board member Jeanette Henderson. Used with permission.