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UK Booksellers Association launches green bookselling manifesto

In the UK, the Booksellers Association (BA) has launched ‘Green Bookselling: A Manifesto for the BA, Booksellers and the Book Industry’, as it calls on the trade to reduce its environmental impact and take the lead on sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives, reports the Bookseller.

The manifesto is based on three principles: that the need for change to prevent further environmental decline is urgent and permanent; that there is much that individuals and organisations can do; and that there is much that the UK book supply chain can do to help.

As part of the green bookselling pledge, the BA recommends bookshops eliminate single-use plastics, switch to green energy suppliers and low-energy lighting, and use local suppliers where possible. It also recommends stores stock stationery and other goods made from renewable sources when possible, consider stocking only ‘naked’ greetings card ranges without cellophane wrapping, re-use or recycle packaging material wherever possible, and try to ensure the environmental sustainability of bookshop events.

The BA is calling on publishers and distributors to take up environmental commitments, including phasing out single-use cardboard in favour of recyclable materials, reviewing the delivery and ‘inherently wasteful’ returns processes, and to stop sending unsolicited book proofs and marketing materials to booksellers.

The BA is also committing to its own sustainability promises, including a green audit, training seminars and a review of existing processes to reduce environmental impact.

BA managing director Meryl Halls said the book industry must make a concerted effort to reduce its environmental impact. ‘Booksellers can take the lead in their communities, and in the trade—where there is already a high awareness of the challenge—and the green manifesto is designed as a key step in committing to doing more to be sustainable and ethical,’ said Halls. ‘The issue is urgent and inevitable, and so we are particularly pleased to be working with other Booksellers Associations on joint activity and initiatives in this area, to the benefit of all our members.’

The BA is working with both the Australian and American booksellers associations on the project to commit to improving the book trade’s green credentials, behaviours and aspirations across English-language territories.

 

Category: International news