Most readers can understand the desire to have shelves upon shelves of books in their own little bedroom libraries. The tactile, sensory experience of holding a book in your hands and the feeling of collecting a physical remnant of your time within a story is unmatched. However, as the keepers of our world of stories, we must take a moment to consider what our consumption is doing to the planet.
One standard paperback alone can account for 1 kilogram of carbon emissions. This means that the publishing industry is leaving a carbon footprint of millions each year. Wasteful book production, use of harmful inks, overconsumption, and unsustainable paper usage all contribute to the current climate crisis.
Reading this, you may be thinking, “Well, I don’t want to switch purely to e-books.” As a book collector, I completely empathise with this sentiment. But, if we implement the core values of the circular economy into physical book production, a more sustainable mode of consumption can be found.
The circular economy model underscores the “Three Rs” (Repair, Reuse, Recycle). This highlights the importance of extending a product’s lifespan through recirculation and thoughtful production. Perhaps the simplest instance of where this can be used is the purchase of second-hand books from markets, charity shops, and preloved bookshops. For those who crave the feeling of a physical book, this reading experience may prove to be even more immersive, as well as sustainable. The notion of a book being a memory of the past adds a whole new layer to the story.
Wasteful production is one of the elements of book publishing that can be combated effectively by incorporating strategies of the circular economy. Mass book production can be reduced if publishing companies look more at producing on demand. Despite being less time efficient and more expensive, implementing this method would significantly reduce the waste of unused books, as well as make customers more considerate about what books they truly want to buy.
Trade-in schemes might be my personal favourite of the circular economy initiatives. This is the idea of trading in an old book, either back to the shop or to the publishing company, to get a percentage off a new book purchase, which would reduce waste from the industry massively. Working in retail, I have seen first-hand the positive effects these initiatives can have on consumerism, particularly in the fashion industry. There is no reason why bookshops and publishing houses shouldn’t try out this method. Allowing people to feel like they are doing something to help, whilst also giving them a bargain for their purchase is extremely effective.
Incorporating natural, botanical inks over petroleum-based inks and FSC-certified paper in the printing process can also help create a more sustainable life cycle for our beloved books.
With all this in mind, as readers, it’s about time we start to question the way we are partaking in the overconsumption of literature. How can we truly hold value for reading about a world that we are slowly killing with each page turned?
Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash
