“To be without trees would, in the most literal way, to be without our roots.”
― Richard Mabey, Beechcombings: The Narratives of Trees

Here at Freshly Press, we’ve become increasingly concerned about how we can be more eco-responsible in the way we run our business, and also how we can help authors do the same.

And it all starts with that essential resource for books ... trees.

How trees are utilized and managed has changed dramatically in the last centuries. Where we live, how we work and manufacture has also changed. Tree planting initiatives and improved forest management have helped preserve and develop some environments but human activities and population growth continue to have a negative impact overall on ecosystems.

Trees provide more than just beautiful landscapes and a shady spot under which to read our books on a sunny day. They play a significant role in reducing erosion and moderating the climate as well as give us oxygen. They provide habitat for wildlife and structure to support robust and balanced ecosystems.

According to research published by The Booksellers Association the publishing and bookselling industries have been looking to reduce their carbon emissions, operate more sustainably and reduce the impact book publishing and bookselling has on the environment – such as using paper from sustainable sources, looking at alternatives to chemical inks and laminates and examining the supply chain.

A US study* found there is a net emission of 8.85 pounds per average book sold. But the study also noted that books store a portion of the carbon from biomass in the products themselves and incinerating waste (although it has some of its own environmental risks) also recovers some energy, thus reducing overall emissions for the industry by 16.8%.
*Source: Environmental Trends and Climate Impacts: Findings from the US Book Industry Study Group

“A tree’s most important means of staying connected to other trees is a “wood wide web” of soil fungi that connects vegetation in an intimate network that allows the sharing of an enormous amount of information and goods.”
― Tim Flannery, The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World

Then there’s the Printed Books vs E-Books debate. There is a lot of conflicting information in circulation. Initially, some people jumped to the conclusion that e-books were more environmentally friendly than printed books but research shows it is far from that simple. There are many issues involved, not least of which is what should be included or excluded from any life cycle assessment. The studies published so far have all used different criteria and there is still no conclusive outcome.

So what to do when you love trees, what to be more eco-responsible and you want to publish books? The road is not a simple one to navigate for self-published authors, the alternatives aren’t always easy to find within what is often a limited budget that has to be shared out across many tasks.

That’s why at Freshly Press, inspired by one of our author’s - climate change communicator Cheryl Rosebush author of the children’s book series that includes “What the World Needs Now: Trees!” - we’ve been busy exploring and developing a range of options we’re curating under our new Eco Creative Options Services. You can sign up here for news on the release of these new services.

Here are three ideas of ways that, as a self-published author, you can be more environmentally friendly and eco-conscious.

1. Start with Simple
   Our writing tools and immediate environment are a great place to start. Are you using energy-efficient lighting? If you use notebooks pens and pencils are they made from either recycled or sustainable paper? Does your Website Host run its servers on green energy? Could you source alternatives for your printer ink cartridges and even print less? Do you use your IT/computer in the most energy-efficient way?

2. Book Printing
   When was the last time you bought a book that offset its own carbon emissions and preserved critically threatened rainforests? We are proud to say that all of the books in the What the World Needs Now series adhere to the highest standards of eco-printing, using: 100% recycled paper - Biodegradable lamination - Vegetable-based inks - Carbon-balanced printing.

   We worked with Cheryl and environmental paper and print crusader Sarah Smith from Dynamic Print in Norwich, UK to help develop a process that achieved this using Carbon Balanced Paper supported through the World Land Trust. Through that one publication, the author helped offset 770kg of Carbon and preserved 539sqm of critically threatened Tropical Rainforest. We know that funding upfront costs for printing isn’t an option for everyone but where it’s possible we always look to explore it.
   
   For those that need to use a Print-on-Demand service, we are finalising a print/distribution process that will be continually updated with the most efficient way to access and distribute books across a wide number of platforms that print to (increasingly) high eco-standards and also adhere to robust environmental criteria on packaging and distribution channels. It’s a work in progress but one that we are very proud to bring a fresh approach to disruptive publishing because there are alternatives to Amazon for the independent author.

3. Marketing Material
   Finally, we all hope that before too long we can take part in author signings, book fairs and Literary Festivals. Oh, how we’ve missed you! One thing you can do is make sure that your promotional material - be that bookmarks, postcards, posters, flyers and the like - are produced with respect to the environment. Use recycled or certified source paper and card, ask your printers about their print options for ink and laminating many more printers are moving towards more eco-conscious methods. Again, we are looking and partnering with the team at Dynamic Print to support authors in making better choices for the planet more affordable, through innovative and attractive alternatives and one of our favourites is using their seed paper for bookmarks.

   
   You can also use ethically sound suppliers for gifts if you are producing VIP bundles for new releases. Along with author client Claire Burdett when launching her book Social Goodness, we researched and sourced sustainable and brandable gifts via Fluid Branding who are also a B-Corp Certified Business meaning they meet the highest standard of verified social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability, to balance profit and purpose.

   

We all have a part to play in protecting our planet and securing its future for future generations, and it all starts by taking small, meaningful, consistent steps in how we live, work and play. And we’re committed to doing all we can to Love A Tree and support the environment.

If you’d like to know more about how you can be greener as a writer and author make sure you’re subscribed to our all-new newsletter. We’ll be sending out regular updates on ways you can make a positive impact.

You can also book a focused 90-minute 1:1 session to talk about these and any other book or publishing-related issues here.