Leaner, cleaner, greener: Book industry cutting paper usage, greenhouse gases, new study says
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Thanks to conservation efforts and the rise of e-books, the publishing industry is creating a leaner and cleaner paper trail.
According to a new report by two environmental groups — the Book Industry Environmental Council and Green Press Initiative — paper suppliers use around 25 per cent recycled fiber for book materials, compared with an estimated 5 per cent in 2004.
Industry greenhouse gas emissions have dropped from around 12 million metric tons to 9 million between 2006 and 2010. And paper usage overall fell from 1.6 million tons in 2006 to just over 1 million in 2011, requiring some 5 million fewer trees.
Todd Pollak, the Green Press Initiative’s program manager, said Thursday that slow economic times may also have reduced paper consumption.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.