The publishing industry comes with a big cost to the planet, with production processes emitting more than 40 million metric tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Traditionally, we have relied on printing to get our books out into the world, which gives us a duty as writers and publishers to explore ways that we can offset this environmental burden. After all, the creation of books shouldn’t involve the destruction of our planet. So, here are our suggestions on how to be more sustainable and reduce your carbon footprint as an author.
One of the most important changes you can make is to implement eco-friendly printing practices, such as print-on-demand services and recycled paper. Popular print-on-demand options include Amazon and Ingram Spark, and these services reduce overproduction and waste from unused bulk printed copies. However, Amazon’s print-on-demand uses virgin paper, and Ingram Spark state that they “expect their suppliers to be environmentally responsible” but do not guarantee this. So alternatively, you can source a local printer where recycled paper is available. That being said, not all local printers offer recycled options and many have a minimum print run of 50 books, which makes bulk printing inevitable. This means that neither options offer an ideal scenario, and authors often have to choose between print-on-demand with big companies using virgin paper or recycled bulk printing with local printers.
The other option is to reduce printed books altogether. Although Kindles and e-books aren’t always more sustainable than classic paper books, they can potentially offset your environmental footprint as an author. For example, you could promote the e-book version of your book by releasing it earlier than the printed version or offer incentives for purchasing the digital format (think a free mini e-book or unique discount code if you have a shop).
During the planning and writing stage, it also helps to keep notes and research on your computer, rather than buying paper or notebooks. For successful digital note-keeping, find a note-taking app that works for you, use cloud storage for documents, and do research in your local library or the internet rather than buying new books or printing out studies. If keeping physical notes is important to you, go paper-free whenever you can, as sometimes is better than not at all.
Going paper-free is also important when marketing your book, so avoid printing hundreds of leaflets. Thankfully, we live in the age of technology, so digital marketing options range from social media campaigns to video ads and a professional website. You can market your book yourself or hire an experienced book marketer.
As an author, you can also use your platform to raise awareness about sustainability in publishing with your followers. For example, you could write a blog about the challenges with sustainability in publishing, ask your readers to support your e-book or explain that you’re choosing to prioritise selling copies from a local printer using recycled paper rather than directing people to your Amazon page. This way, you’ll promote sustainable reading habits with your audience by making them aware of the issues.
Another great idea is donating to a sustainable charity to celebrate a milestone, such as to celebrate a number of copies sold. For instance, at The Book Shelf, we donate to the Rainforest Trust UK to protect 10 acres of valuable rainforest for every author we work with. Consider donating any unused copies to charities that promote reading and literacy programs like Book Aid International.
Finally, if you really care about your environmental impact, look into offsetting your carbon footprint. You can use websites like the WWF Footprint Calculator or apps like Klima to estimate your annual carbon footprint. These resources give you tips on how to lead a more sustainable lifestyle and they often accept donations to exactly offset the CO₂ you’re responsible for.
As well as offsetting your own carbon footprint, share knowledge and resources with your family, friends, and network to create a positive ripple effect of eco-friendly practices.
If you want to find out what The Book Shelf is doing to create positive change for the planet, you can read our dedicated blog here.
PS. We love to share sustainability tips for authors on our social media. Stay in touch by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram!
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