#59 The Next Book You Pick Might Come From Trash–and That's a Good Thing for Indian Publishing!
Penguin Swadesh will be the first to publish its books on 100% recycled paper. Could this be a step in the direction of sustainable publishing?
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In November 2023, Penguin Random House India announced their plans to transition to producing books from 100% recycled paper. This was a move to find eco-friendly and sustainable ways to reduce the environmental impact of publishing print books. Recycled or ‘upcycled’ paper reduces the waste in landfills, does not contain chlorine, and emits 30% less carbon dioxide as compared to regular paper production.
This week, Penguin Swadesh, a regional language imprint which publishes over 50 titles every year, has become the first of Penguin’s imprints to make the shift.
What does this mean for eco-friendly publishing?
Many Indian publishers have been trying to find avenues to reduce environmental impact, such as sustainable packaging and better waste management strategies.
One such approach is using paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international non-governmental organization that promotes responsible forest management and ensures that the paper and fibre used to make the paper are sourced responsibly.
Tara Books, an independent publisher in Chennai, produces handmade books, crafted using traditional techniques and printed on handmade paper. Rathna Ramanathan, designer and typographer, notes, “Just one ton of recycled paper saves approximately six mature trees and 89 cubic feet of landfill space.”
However, these transitions are neither quick nor easy. FSC-certified paper is 5% more expensive than normal paper, and is not a viable option for many small and independent publishers. Penguin is also currently facing its own set of challenges. Ajay Joshi, Vice President of Supply Chain and Production, states, “It took us an additional six months of paper sampling before it met our company’s standards.”
Is going paperless an alternative?
According to the Indian Readership Survey (IRS), the demand for e-books and audiobooks is projected to grow at a 20% annual rate between 2023 and 2025.
Many leading Indian publishers like Juggernaut, Notion Press and Rupa Publications have extensive e-book catalogues. Similarly, Penguin, HarperCollins and Pratilipi have invested substantially in audiobooks.
However, the demand for ebooks has stagnated since the pandemic and audiobooks are an expensive endeavor.
While publishers are still on the hunt for the least expensive and most effective way to make print publishing more sustainable, Penguin’s efforts are a great step in the right direction. However, it will take a few years before we can assess the actual impact of this transition.
Until then, we can hope that Penguin’s experimentation and efforts will create a roadmap that other publishers can follow for a smoother and faster transition to sustainability without compromising on quality or being too expensive for readers.
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