A book is published somewhere in the world every 30 seconds. That's good news for those who fear that text messaging has replaced actual writing. It's bad news?very bad news?for those who monitor resource usage. If you'd like to write a greener story, sign up at Planet Green's "How to Go Green: Books (for Authors)."
Top Tips for Greening Your Books
The Paper: Obviously, this is where it all begins. Post-consumer recycled, percent recycled, acid-free, chlorine free, and FSC certified are just some of terms that describe the different types of paper available. Authors should embark on a little self-education but also put the onus on publishers to validate their green practices and credentials.
The Ink: It seems just about everything is petroleum-based these days and ink is (was) no different. Fortunately, the movement to make ink green is underway and eco-authors and publishers can now choose from options like soy- and vegetable-based.
No Paper or Ink: The advent of the e-book has created a new opportunity for green authors. While some may understandably bemoan the loss of the durable book form, exciting breakthroughs for reading and enjoying e-books just might make them the greenest and most popular choice of all.
Did You Know?
- 81% of Americans feel they should write a book
- 4.4 gallons of water are used to create one book
- Using one ton of 100% post-consumer content recycled paper instead of non-recycled paper can save 24 trees
For more on Book Tips check out Planet Green's Guide, How to Go Green: Books (for Authors). For more on Going Green, check out the Planet Green How to Go Green Archives.
