As Christian publishers put more focus on "going green," they have been encouraged in their efforts by two unlikely sources--Wal-Mart and Harry Potter.

The retail giant's insistence that publishers use paper made from trees harvested in "sustainable forests"--younger-growth forests where trees are responsibly harvested and replaced--has helped get publishers' attention, according to Dwight Baker.

The president of Baker Book House--for many years a mostly solitary voice in evangelical publishing promoting environmental concerns--said: "Wal-Mart is now saying: ‘This matters, we're not joking, you have to work your way all the way back to the forest and make sure you have sustainable materials.' Wal-Mart did in a few meetings what I couldn't do with all the time in the universe."

Meanwhile, New Leaf Paper's recycled paper stock has had a major boost since Raincoast Books, a Canadian publisher with rights to the "Harry Potter" series in Canada, published the latest titles in the series on EcoBook 100--a 100% post-consumer recycled paper stock, completely chlorine--free.

These and other developments mean eco-friendly publishing is not just a topic for lifelong conservationists like Baker, but one being discussed by broader audiences in the Christian publishing industry.
They include the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, whose November 2008 "Pub U" event in Chicago included several sessions that touched on environmental issues.

Read more in the July 6 issue of Christian Retailing.

• Prev
• Next