Literary Tree Hugging

Not quite ready for a Kindle, but feeling a bit guilty about all the paper it takes to create your favorite books? Fear not!

According to the Green Press Initiative, a national nonprofit that works with the publishing and newspaper industry to help conserve natural resources, book publishers have significantly improved their use of recycled materials in the past two years.

ABC News reports that GPI industry surveys show that publishers have increased their use of post-consumer recycled fiber in book paper from just 3.5 percent in 2004 to 13 percent in 2007. Yes, 13 percent is still a fairly small percentage, but book publishers have increased more than three-fold in three years, and that seems pretty impressive!

The GPI reports that the book industry typically uses 30 million trees to make books sold in the US, often using trees from endangered forests. However, in more signs that the book industry is not intent on mowing down Mother Earth, the GPI says more than 160 publishers, representing about 40 percent of the book industry, have signed the industry-generated treatise on responsible paper use or have otherwise developed strong environmental policies.

How can you ensure that a book you're buying is using recycled paper? Check the back cover or copyright page. You should see a note that says the book uses recycled paper or contains paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a nonprofit that certifies companies, organizations and communities interested in responsible forestry.

We totally get that many people love to snuggle up with a good book and savor turning its pages and breathing in that literary smell. Luckily, organizations like the Green Press Initiative ensure that we can keep indulging that passion without feeling quite so guilty about it.

Photo courtesy of nkzs via stock.xchang.