Paper is the largest component of any books, and at Webcom we recognize that our paper usage has a major impact on the environment. That's why we were very pleased to have the opportunity to support the environmental initiative of Raincoast Books to eliminate the use of papers originating from ancient forests from their books. Raincoast of Vancouver, B.C. is the publisher of Harry Potter in Canada. With the next release of the Harry Potter titles in softcover, Raincoast realized there was an opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment with its choice of paper. The phenomenal popularity of these books - millions of copies have been sold in Canada - means the consumption of a lot of paper. The paperback edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - and all upcoming paperback reprints of other titles in the Harry Potter series - is printed on Good News, a 100% recycled sheet with 40% post-consumer waste.
Raincoast was one of the early supporters of an environmental project called "Markets Initiative". Markets Initiative is a coalition project of Greenpeace Canada, the Sierra Club of B.C., and Friends of Clayoquot Sound. The mandate of the project is to work with Canadian companies to reduce their consumption of ancient forest products. In this way, the initiative is helping to stimulate a growing market for environmentally sound paper and wood alternatives within Canada.
Markets Initiative has been working with Canadian book publishers for the past two years. To date, twenty-four Canadian publishers have signed on, and more than 100 titles have been printed on ancient forest-friendly paper. The Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia has worked closely with Markets Initiative since Spring 2000 to improve publishers' awareness of and access to environmentally responsible papers. Raincoast Books and Webcom were early supporters of Markets Initiative, and continue to lead the industry in moving towards more environmentally friendly paper alternatives.
But Raincoast's commitment doesn't end with Harry Potter. They are also working towards printing their entire text-based list on ancient forest-friendly papers.
"Raincoast recognizes the positive impact that responsible supply decisions can have on the environment," says Michelle Benjamin, Publisher of Raincoast Books. "We have made a firm commitment to work with supply partners who can meet our requirements in both protecting ancient forests, and supporting the use of environmentally friendly papers. Each book printed on ancient forest-friendly paper is one step towards ending global deforestation and climate change."
"Raincoast is a publisher with vision and a sense of corporate responsibility," says Rachelle Sunga, Sales Representative for Webcom Limited. "It is great to work with Raincoast on this environmental issue. They were clear in their expectations and gave us the opportunity to come up with some paper options to meet their requirements."
Webcom will continue to work with Raincoast and like-minded publishers to provide paper that will meet evolving environmental requirements.
