Traditional book publishing is resource-intensive: from cutting down trees for paper to using petroleum-based inks and heavy machinery. The industry is a “mass consumer of raw materials and energy,” with manufacturing, packaging, and unsold-book disposal all generating pollution. For example, making paper is astonishingly costly: one report notes a single A4 page can require 20 liters of water and that producing 1 kg of paper needs 2–3 kg of wood. In short, every printed book carries hidden environmental costs – deforestation, high energy use, chemical waste and carbon emissions.
This footprint is very large. Major publishers confirm it: 75% of Penguin Random House UK’s carbon impact comes from paper production and printing. Millions of tons of CO₂ and waste result globally (a 2006 study estimated 12.4 million metric tons of CO₂ from 4.15 billion books, and modern analyses still point to similar problems). Unsold books only worsen this: millions of copies often end up shredded or pulped, adding to landfill waste. In this context, authors and publishers are asking: How can we continue to share stories without costing the Earth?
Solutions to the Problems
Publishers and authors have begun adopting greener materials and processes. One key step is switching to recycled and certified paper: printed books on 100% recycled stock can cut forest use dramatically. (For example, printing one million books on recycled paper can save about 30,000 trees.) Likewise, using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)–certified paper and soy- or vegetable-based inks greatly reduces toxins and deforestation. In fact, Oxford University Press reports that 90% of the paper it used in 2023 was from sustainable sources, with a goal of 100% by 2025. These choices send a clear message: eco-friendly materials protect forests and appeal to environmentally conscious readers.
Publishers are also changing how they print and ship books. Print-on-demand (POD) is increasingly common: books are produced only when ordered, which slashes overproduction and waste. Industry examples show this in action. Cambridge University Press now prints 85% of its front-list via POD (aiming for 95%), specifically to reduce unsold returns and cut its carbon footprint. In one survey, POD was noted to cut overproduction by up to 50% and keep unsold copies out of landfills. Smaller print runs and local printers (even regional POD facilities) are also on the rise. By starting with a small print batch and expanding only if demand grows (as some indie publishers do), authors avoid the waste of unsold stock. In addition, large publishers like Penguin Random House UK have capped “high-carbon” paper grades and shifted more shipping from trucks to rail, reducing transport emissions. Together, these steps – POD, smaller runs, and greener logistics – greatly lower the environmental costs of physical books.
Another major solution is digital publishing. E-books, audiobooks and online reading platforms eliminate paper and ink entirely. By moving a book to digital format, one avoids all the tree cutting, paper manufacturing and shipping associated with print. As one analysis notes, producing one e-book emits only about 0.01 kg of CO₂, versus 7.5 kg for a typical printed copy. (Of course, e-readers have their own footprint: making one device can equal the emissions of ~40–50 printed books. Still, if a voracious reader downloads dozens of titles, the per-book impact drops dramatically.) Platforms like NetGalley also show how digital helps: over a one-year span, publishers approved 3.3 million digital review copies to members – meaning 3.3 million books were never printed. In practice, Kravitz&Sons and other self-publishing services now make it easy for authors to offer e-books and even interactive online editions. These digital-first approaches “eliminate the need for paper” and all related environmental impacts, making them a highly eco-friendly publishing option.
Advantages and Disadvantages
E-books (Digital)
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| No paper or ink is used, and distribution creates almost no physical waste. Converting to digital “drastically reduces demand for paper,” with a single e-book causing only ~0.01 kg CO₂ vs 7.5 kg for print. E-books also ship instantly worldwide with negligible emissions. | Manufacturing devices consumes metals and energy. An e-reader’s production can emit as much CO₂ as ~40–50 books. Energy used by servers and charging devices also counts. Some readers simply prefer the feel of a paperback and may not buy an e-book, so authors must still balance formats. |
Print-on-Demand (POD)
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Books are printed only when ordered, nearly eliminating unsold inventory. Industry data show POD can reduce overproduction by up to 50% and keep unsold copies out of landfills. For authors, POD means no large upfront print orders or waste. | Per-copy costs are higher for small runs, making it less efficient for best-sellers. POD presses may also offer fewer customization options (like special finishes). Authors must plan for slightly higher unit prices or smaller profits per book. |
Traditional Print Runs
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Large print runs lower the cost per book and are convenient if you expect high demand. Brick-and-mortar stores and some readers favor stock in hand. | This approach carries the biggest environmental burden. Large runs use huge amounts of paper and can lead to tons of excess inventory. Historically, unsold books often end up shredded or pulped, contributing to waste. More printed copies also mean higher transportation emissions. |
Eco-Friendly Materials
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Choosing recycled/FSC paper and soy inks directly cuts deforestation and pollution. High-quality recycled paper is now widely available and green-credited: printing on recycled stock “saves trees and reduces chemicals,” while veggie inks emit far fewer toxins. These choices also give authors positive PR (“my book is printed on recycled paper!”) | Eco-certified materials can cost more and sometimes have longer lead times. Finding printers and suppliers who meet high environmental standards takes extra research and planning. |
Additional Tips for Authors
| Publish digitally first. |
|---|
| Always offer an e-book edition on platforms like Kindle or NetGalley. This means readers who prefer digital have no impact on forests at all. In fact, NetGalley reports that a single year of digital review sharing prevented 3.3 million printed books. By embracing digital editions, authors ensure every copy (especially review copies) can be distributed “paperless,” saving trees and shipping emissions. |
| Use print-on-demand for print copies. |
|---|
| When selling a paperback, use POD services (as Kravitz&Sons does) rather than bulk printing. This guarantees you only print exactly the number of copies you need, minimizing waste. It also allows printing closer to customers (even in different countries), reducing transport emissions. |
| Choose eco-friendly printers and materials. |
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| Look for printers that use FSC-certified or recycled paper and soy/vegetable inks. Ask your print-on-demand provider about their sustainability policies. Remember that printing 1,000,000 books on recycled paper can save 30,000 trees, so even small print runs add up. Using green materials not only helps the planet but can be a marketing point to attract conscious readers. |
| Promote used, library and exchange options. |
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| Encourage readers to buy or gift secondhand copies when possible. A used book creates no new emissions (the manufacturing was already done) and keeps the story in circulation. Authors can collaborate with libraries or mention libraries and used-book sales in their marketing. This approach turns your book into part of a circular economy – better for readers’ wallets and the Earth. |
| Offset and educate. |
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| Consider partnering with tree-planting or carbon-offset programs: even if you publish in print, donating to reforestation can mitigate impact. Use author platforms to educate readers about your sustainability efforts. Small actions (like printing only on one side of paper for proofs, or choosing mail options) add up. |
At Kravitz&Sons, we believe sustainable publishing is not just a trend but a responsibility. As a self-publishing company, we help new authors make eco-friendly choices: offering easy digital publishing (e-books and audiobooks) and print-on-demand options to minimize waste. By providing green-certified print materials and partnering with responsible printers, we enable writers to “say yes” to publishing without saying no to the planet. In short, authors today can tell their stories and protect the environment – and Kravitz&Sons is proud to support both goals.
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