The Green Guide Girls at Plant a Tree in Cherry Hill, New Jersey sent me an email to tell me that they are developing a directory of environmentally friendly companies in the publishing industry. They asked me what my publishing company does to prevent climate change. I replied that we are an itsy bitsy teeny weeny independent publisher and that basically we printed our one and only book on 100% recycled paper. I told them I didn’t have much more to tell. Then, in the days that followed, I kept thinking about their inquiry and I realized that not only do I have more to tell, but that I am passionate about this issue, and have been my entire life. Quite frankly, I have made significant personal sacrifices to protect our delicate environment. When we founded Woza Books, my husband and I signed the Green Press Initiative. I do have something to say about green publishing. Here is my list of ways that publishing companies can help reverse climate change and contribute to the preservation of planet earth.
1) Top of the list: Print on 100% recycled paper. Here’s a tip. Because the Canadian government provides subsidies to printers who use recycled paper, Canadian printers offer better pricing for printing on recycled than American printers. Look into Canadian printers for reasonable price quotes. The bottom line: Recycled paper costs more than virgin paper. Are you willing to make the sacrifice? Recycled paper uses 60% less energy to produce than new paper. Make a responsible choice.
2) Join the Green Press Initiative to draw attention to the issue and the use of recycled materials. Print the Green Press Initiative calculation of savings in the back of your books. Visit http://www.greenpressinitiative.org for more information.
3) Use recycled supplies in your office. Recycle paper, use the back of paper again for notes, and recycle ink cartridges, plastic shopping bags, and everything that is recyclable.
4) Reduce the amount of paper used and mailed by utilizing the internet for promotions, marketing, advertising, communications, financial transactions, etc.
5) Turn your computers off at night. If you have a flat screen monitor, turn it off when not in use, even during the day. Turn off DVD players, TVs, monitors, and other electronic devices at night (remember that equipment also uses power when on standby).
6) Reconsider the author tour model. Sending an author flying all over the country burns a lot of airplane fuel. Why not schedule a regional tour and send the author in a fuel-efficient car, like a hybrid? (I am doing a 12-city tour for my book, but I’m driving to all locations in my little fuel-efficient car.) Use technology to do a virtual tour with webcasts, teleconferences, and podcasts. Set up a “blog tour” (see Steve Weber’s article in the April 2007 issue of PMA’s Independent). Consider creative solutions that use technology to bring the author out into the world without fuel-guzzling, carbon-emitting travel. If air travel is essential, book direct flights to use less fuel. A note of interest: Some cities offer hybrid car rentals. Check out EV Rentals or Fox Rentals.
7) Make adjustments and utilize technology to allow employees to work from home to reduce travel. In fact, get rid of the office and let everyone work from home. One less location to heat/cool, light, and commute to. Concerned about meeting? Use a conference bridge to allow meetings by phone.
If you are still attached to the office, readjust work hours to reduce the need to heat, cool, and light the office. (Or better yet, run the office on alternative energy.) Do an energy efficiency audit of the office and make a plan for improvements (such as better weatherizing, improved heating/cooling system, purchasing more energy efficient appliances, and installing a ceiling fan-check out http://www.energystar.gov/home for tips). Turn the office lights off at night.
9) Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. This is a big energy saver.
10) Don’t shrink-wrap books in little bundles for shipping. Reduce packaging and use lightweight recycled paper as packing material.
11) Do business with other green businesses and environmentally conscious vendors. Reward them for their efforts by buying from them.
12) Grow a company garden. On the roof. In the yard. On the windowsill.
Woza Books is not my bread and butter. I earn a living as a grant writer. I have worked from my home office for nearly eight years, with clients in over 20 states. I simply do not travel. I use my phone, e-fax service, overnight delivery, satellite internet access, and conference calling. I have tuned in to webcasts and audiostreams on my computer and teleconferences on my phone to gather information from the federal government and other sources. Clients send me podcasts, DVDs, links to web content, and PowerPoints to fill me in on details. When we founded Woza Books and published The Call to Shakabaz, we had very little money for marketing, so we have utilized the internet and web-based resources as much as possible. Free or cheap. Fuel-efficient.
No one says going green is easy. It is a challenge and it requires creativity. The hard truth is that we need to think differently. We need to think about consuming less and conserving more, to think about working together with others to protect this beautiful planet that we call home. Don’t just talk about it, do it. Start today. And always remember that reading a good book is an old-fashioned, excellent, and very green way to entertain yourself while treading lightly on the earth.
[Note: This article was originally published in "The Independent," an IBPA trade journal.]
Amy Wachspress is the author of The Call to Shakabaz, a children’s and young adult fantasy adventure featuring all Black characters that demonstrates the fundamental principles of nonviolence. She is also a grant writer who has raised over $100 million for initiatives that benefit children, youth, and families in more than 25 states. For more information visit http://www.wozabooks.com
Author: Amy Wachspress
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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