What is the effect of books on the environment?

Question

What is the effect of books on the environment (how they are made, how many trees it takes, etc.)?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I would say it is quite bad... but what I think is far worse is the amount of paper recources used in unread junk mail, bills, unread magazine subscriptions, newspapers... these are used once (if that!) then tossed... (and probably not recycled). Books, if they are used several times, then sold second hand... then at least seem to have some end purpose for the environmental damage their production causes.

not many books are made from recycled materials... though there are an increasing number which are using recourses from sustainable forestry etc. Also, some are starting to used mixed sources (part-recycled)...

Answer 2

First books help spread knowledge about environmental issues there are hundreds of different topics from ecological building to eco fashion.

http://www.greenbooks.co.uk/

Being ecologically aware is really important. You can also read a lot of information online now.

However publishers are vast consumers of paper. Ensure your book is produced from recycled or sustainable paper sources or check for a National Associaton of Paper Merchants recycled Mark

http://www.napm.org.uk/

Instead of buying newspapers or magazines, buy secondhand books. Then pass books on or donate them to your favourite charities.

Answer 3

The trees used for paper pulp are a renewable resource. Paper making and book binding are huge sources of good paying jobs with good health benefits. Books are seldom disposed of so there is no waste stream for them. And we can read the truth about the environment in books rather than listen to the chicken littles whining. Win win.

Answer 4

It really depends on the book's maker.  Whether they use bleached paper or not whether it contains recycled paper and how the book is used if it gets a lot of use or if it gets passed around it would be better than using a computer but if it is a one time read type thing it would have a bigger impact on the envoronment.