Non-Quaker Kindred Groups
The Episcopal Ecological Network (EpEN)
EpEn's Green Press Initiative
THE GREEN PRESS INITIATIVE (GPI) has request that the EpEN provide information about their program for those individuals who wish to take action concerning environmental responsibility in the printing industry.
GPI is working with religious publishers to encourage them to use papers that are environmentally responsible and serve to reduce pressure on Endangered Forests and communities tied to them. This translates to the use of papers with a maximum amount of recycled and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified "virgin" fiber. GPI has put together a program to get the publishers to change internal practices as well as to influence their printers and mills to make changes. The publishers have told GPI that it is important for them to hear from the churches and their constituents that publishing bibles and other religious books on environmentally responsible paper is important.
GPI has laid the groundwork for this effort by reaching out to all the major bible and religious publishers along with the mills that produce both lightweight and regular trade paper. Further GPI has been working with trade and educational publishers for several years to establish best practices in paper use and production. To date, there are 98 US publishers who have made formal commitments to shift their paper use to meet GPI recommended standards. As a result of collective demand, the suppliers have produced over 20 new book papers with environmental characteristics. Over 15 printers are currently stocking them, including those serving religious book publishers.
GPI offers the following facts for consideration:
On average, the U.S. book publishing industry uses 1 million tons of paper, requiring the consumption of 20 million trees annually.
Many of these trees are coming from Endangered Forests in Canada, Indonesia and the Southeastern U.S. that contain irreplaceable biodiversity and are home to many indigenous people.
If the book industry converted 30% of its fiber use to recycled, it would save the equivalent of 524 million pounds of greenhouse gases, 2.1 billion gallons of water, 264 million pounds of solid waste, and 4.9 million trees each year.
Religious trade books are the fastest growing segment of book publishing and part of their value is to encourage stewardship of Creation.
GPI asks for you to write a letter to the top religious publishers, asking them to change their paper use practices. They have told us that its important to hear from you. We will provide you with a letter template and contact information .
GPI does not have information available on their website for downloading. The following two GPI documents of interest are available from EpEN as a download.
If you have any questions on the Green Press Initiative, please contact Erin Johnson at the GPI <erin@greenpressinitiative.org>
Contact information:
Episcopal Ecological Network
c/o Fletcher Harper
55 Highwood Avenue
Tenafly, NJ 07670 USA
e-mail: eenchair@env-steward.com
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