Publishing’s Problem with Plastic

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From Publishers Weekly:

I write environmental nonfiction books that call kids to action. I want children to feel empowered to save our planet from past generations’ hubris. Endangered species, trophic cascades, and marine debris are just a few of the topics I’ve tackled. Now, I’d like to motivate a different audience to act: the publishing industry.

I attended the American Library Association’s annual conference in June to receive a Robert F. Sibert Honor for Sea Otter Heroes: The Predators That Saved an Ecosystem. In my free time, I explored the exhibit hall for books. I returned home with some amazing finds, but also a feeling of unease due to the inclusion of plastic marketing materials in many giveaways.

Ever since Annie Crawley and I collaborated on Plastic, Ahoy! Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, my plastic radar operates on overdrive. In the ALA exhibit hall, more than 900 exhibitors offered a dizzying array of gifts—magnets, bags, headphones, microfiber cloths, postcards with kites attached, beaded necklaces, water bottles—all in the name of selling books.

On behalf of my fellow authors, we thank you for these efforts. But the gifts are often made of unrecyclable plastic encased in single-use plastic bags. With over eight million metric tons of plastic thrown into the ocean annually, I believe an industry that generates almost $30 billion in revenue can do better in limiting the use of throwaway plastics.

. . . .

I know many publishers use recycled paper; it’s an admirable step that doesn’t go far enough. Annie and I regularly receive notes from kids making a difference in the fight against plastic. We’ve educated friends and colleagues about the evils of marine debris. As a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators regional advisor, I asked conference attendees to bring reusable water bottles, and I provided an urn of water for fill-ups. That practice is still in effect today, even though I’ve retired as RA.

. . . .

1. Those free tote bags are appreciated, but consider ones made from natural fibers rather than plastic (which can’t be recycled when they wear out).

2. Rethink giveaways. Consider candy wrapped in foil or paper rather than plastic. Ditch plastic items such as necklaces and microfiber cloths (which, when washed, release tiny plastic fibers into our watersheds). Instead, consider beeswax wraps or bamboo cloths sans plastic packaging.

3. Send review copies of books in cardboard mailers rather than plastic-lined envelopes.

4. Use paper packing tape for mailings and shipments. Replace polystyrene peanuts or plastic air-filled bags with biodegradable corn starch peanuts or shredded newspaper.

5. Consider using paper straps instead of sending sets of books shrink-wrapped in plastic.

Link to the rest at Publishers Weekly

The OP failed to mention the environmental benefits of ebooks.

Can traditional publishers do anything right?

6 thoughts on “Publishing’s Problem with Plastic”

  1. 1. Nix the gifts. I don’t even understand the reasoning behind this. The two groups you want to influence would be reviewers and readers, not other editors and agents.

    2. Stop printing galleys. Email PDFs or just direct book review editors to NetGalley or Edelweiss where they or an assigned reviewer can access the book.

  2. 1. How about taking your own tote bag and convincing others to do the same? Then they don’t have to offer them – though they really want you to carry around their nice shiny tote – that there’s free advertising!

    2. Consider that most candy wrapped in foil or paper doesn’t have the shelf-life of the same protected by plastic. Once again, don’t take any and have others not take any and they’ll stop bringing it.

    3. How about they just send ebooks – that would be even better – don’t you think?

    4. Once again, no shipping or shipping waste with an ebook.

    5. Again consider sending ebooks! (I thought this joker was concerned about the environment?)

    @ PG. I think this person is only considering the environmental benefits for their bread and butter ‘trad-pub’ – not for the rest of the world. (Of course if they’re writing only to/for kids they want quickly trashed/destroyed paper books sold – not a plastic sheeted one that will last a while and not have to be bought over and over – and dang sure not an ebook …)

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