Book Industry Turns Over a New Leaf
by Warren McLaren, Sydney 
on 04. 8.08
There is no such thing as a free lunch. Someone pays somewhere. So it is with books. They provide us with knowledge and enlightenment, but that edification comes with a price. The U.S. book industry emits over 12.4 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, or approximately 8.85 pounds of carbon for the average book (.89 lb). Much of this (~63%) is a result of forest losing their biomass carbon store. Such is the finding of joint research conducted by the Green Press Initiative and Book Industry Study Group (BISG).
They published their research report Environmental Trends and Climate Impacts: Findings from the U.S. Book Industry. It will set you back $195, or you can see the highlights in a PDF, to read up on the good and bad news from the industry.
BISG tell us that book industry organizations consume roughly 1.2 million tons of varying grades of paper per year, but are interested in improving their environmental impacts. Aside from increasing their use of post-consumer content (see chart above) companies are said to be actively investigating reducing their overproduction and making sure that unsold books are pulped (instead of landfilled). We also read that they are moving to lower weight papers where possible, as well as ‘maximizing’ FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified or equivalent fibre in their papers. ::Green Press Initiative, via Environmental Leader.
See also:
• How to Green Your Book - Publishers
• How to Green Your Book - Authors
• Green Press Initiative take on Harry Potter
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I'm surprised you didn't mention the "Cradle to Cradle" book which itself is a "treeless" book: "the book itself is a physical symbol of the changes to come. It is printed on a synthetic 'paper,' made from plastic resins and inorganic fillers, designed to look and feel like top quality paper while also being waterproof and rugged. And the book can be easily recycled in localities with systems to collect polypropylene, like that in yogurt containers. This 'treeless' book points the way toward the day when synthetic books, like many other products, can be used, recycled, and used again without losing any material quality—in cradle to cradle cycles."
Dorling Kindersley are taking quite a few steps to green up their corner of the industry; it's not rocket science (they've used all recycled paper and card, ditched the 'dust jackets' on hardbacks and have used earth-friendly glues) but it's a good incentive to the industry at large to green up its act.
These statistics are scary and probably true, but it doesn't have to be this way if the publisher chooses for it not to be.
For instance, my book 'What if...?' has a plaque inside that states what was saved by investing time and money in having it printed in as eco-friendly a manner as possible:
16 trees (40' tall and 6-8" in diameter)
6,583 gallons of waste water
2,648 kilowat hours of electricity
726 pounds of solid waste
1,426 pounds of greenhouse gases
All saved!
As my book has some very strong environmental themes, it would have been hypocritical to have printed it any other way. However, the subject matter allows for no excuses - there is no reason other publishers cannot act in such a responsible manner.
Steve N. Lee
author of eco-blog http://www.lionsledbysheep.com
and eco-suspense thriller 'What if...?' http://www.steve-n-lee.com