As most people now use the Internet to find names and numbers, Yellow Pages and Phone Books are being thrown straight into recycling bins and clogging up landfill.

According to the local government association phone books are creating over 75,000 tonnes of waste paper every year and costing taxpayers £7.5 million to dispose of them.

The data publishers association said that phone directories are still an important resource even with many people using the Internet.

Householders who are just dropping the Yellow Pages or BT Phone directories straight into the recycle bin should contact the companies and ask for the directories not to be delivered.

All three directories can be cancelled at once by visiting the website Junk Buster