Carbon emissions: Publishers try skinnier books to cut CO2

Published On Sep 16, 2024, 7:07 PM

A recent article discusses how making books slimmer and lighter can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions involved in their production. Experts point out that a typical paperback generates around 1 kg of CO2, and with millions sold annually in the US alone, this amounts to significant environmental impact. Publishers are adopting measures like using thinner paper and compact typefaces to reduce material usage and shipping weight, which also lowers production costs. There are promising advances in sustainable typesetting that can reduce page counts without compromising readability. Notable examples include HarperCollins using innovative designs and 2K/DENMARK leading in sustainable typesetting efforts. Despite the financial pressures in the industry, this approach is seen as a beneficial shift towards sustainability.