Shop Smarter, Greener, and Ethically (and a small speech on book recycling)
December 16, 2007 by Jennifer
What strikes me as funny are all the eco-print books out there about changing the world. That’s a lot of books — most helpful but some of which end up in the trash no doubt. I’ve been seriously thinking about what to do with my book collection lately. I have tons. I do read and enjoy them but am thinking of donating some because I really have too many. This got me to thinking that “green” books may be better off with electronic versions. Still, there are some great green books out there; many I own so what can you do?
- Share books with friends (or strangers)
- One word; library
- Used book stores
- Donate your read eco books to schools or community centers
- Try to buy from eco-friendly book publishing companies to start with — such as ones that use recycled paper and eco-friendly ink.
Wow that was a digression. I really just meant to post some good green shopping books I know of. I’ll just do that now:
The Rough Guide to Shopping with a Conscience
The Organic Food Guide : How to Shop Smarter and Eat Healthier
Safe Shopper’s Bible : A Consumer’s Guide to Nontoxic Household Products
Animal free shopper (UK based info)
And there you go.
I used to work at a major chain bookseller, and one thing that really bothered me was the trash. We threw away hundreds of books and magazines a week, tons (literally) of packing peanuts, boxes in every size.
This is something consumers can have an impact on though. If enough people contact the store and local groups and encourage them to work something out.
Okay, I know you’ll hate me forever, but your readers want to know more about you… and me too! Tag – you’re it!
What about joining one of those websites where you trade books? I have a friend who had joined one and she said it was great.
Hil, it’s so sad that books are thrown away. Why not donate them, indeed.
Nice book selections Jennifer. Too late to add to MY Christmas list, but I put one on my amazon wish list.
Wow, I missed all the comments here! Yikes First off Mysti who is in big trouble… A tag; you’re lucky it’s the holidays.
Hil ~ That is sooo sad. You see stuff thrown away in so many jobs too; not just books. The mentality of us all has got to change.
Julie ~ That might work. I wonder if people want to ship though. That might be too much to get to the post office. I love the idea of a local swap though.
Peggy ~ These are all great books. There are tons of good green books out there. Most though I get from the library. I only own maybe five or six green related books (still more than I need). You do not want to see my architect / homes book shelf though. I think I killed many trees