LBF Updates: Green Panel Confirms Publishers’ Commitments
By Lynn Andriani -- Publishers Weekly, 4/14/2008 10:24:00 AM
Reducing supply chain and production-related emissions, using FSC-certified paper and creating green office spaces were among the top concerns discussed at the Going Green: What Publishing Is Doing To and For the Environment panel this morning at the London Book Fair. Participating in the discussion were Helen Fraser of Penguin UK, Michael Healy of the Book Industry Study Group, Ashley Lodge of HarperCollins and Chuck Robinson of VillageBooks.com, an independent bookstore in Bellingham, Wash.
If any one theme emerged over the hour-long conversation, it was that the publishing industry is moving well beyond offering lip service when it comes to green initiatives. As Lodge, corporate responsibility manager at Harper, explained, ‘We’ve got to do more than simply think green.’ Lodge, who also chairs the Publishers Green Network, said that 60% of its titles are printed on FSC (Forest Stewardship Certified) paper—something that it makes all of its consumers aware of by placing a logo on all Harper books printed on recycled paper. And as BISG’s Healy said, its own research shows that 42% of consumers are willing to pay $1 or more for a book that is printed on recycled paper. (To read BISG’s environmental report, go to BISG.org.). Lodge used the session to announce that the Collins education sales reps are moving to hybrid cars later this spring.
Penguin, too, is a supporter of FSC-certified paper; Fraser said that particular certification seems to rank highest among consumers in terms of recognition. She also spoke of the house’s commitment to reducing energy use in its offices: it has lowered the number of airline flights employees take by 10% over last year, and employees attending the Frankfurt Book Fair later this year will travel via train.
Although the panelists only touched on e-books as a green alternative to paper books, bookseller Robinson did say he has seen some publishers’ sales reps using Sony Readers to show booksellers galleys, and said he hoped that at some point booksellers could receive galleys via electronic delivery.
All the participants agreed cooperation between publishers, booksellers and printers is paramount to making changes. Fraser put it succinctly: ‘Can we do this together? Because we’re not going to crack this on our own.’
