I've done the research, I've read the articles. Are E-Books really greener. An article in the NY Times suggests it is.
It states, on average, the carbon emitted over the live of the device is offset after the first year of use. It goes on to quote "The new study finds that e-readers could have a major impact on improving the sustainability and environmental impact on the publishing industry, one of the world's most polluting sectors." And goes further to state, printed books have the highest per-unit carbon footprint.
But it also states that unless these E-book sales or anticipation of reduce printing of books, there is effectively no positive impact on the environment. E-book sales are on the rise and print sales are down, but what will the long term outcome be? Who is to know.
The Cleantech study concluded that purchasing three e-books per month for four years produces roughly 168 kilograms of CO2 throughout the Kindle’s lifecycle, compared to the estimated 1,074 kilograms of CO2 produced by the same number of printed books.
Can you imagine?And of course - the plastics, toxins, etc.. that go into making an E-reader are kept hush hush... so how would you weigh it?
I'm still on the fence, teetering over to the E-book side but I haven't yet taken the plunge. I went to Barnes and Noble today and checked out the Nook. I think I like it over the Kindle. But I don't know. I would only want to read on it, so it's MP3 player, and other fancy doo dads would do little to sway my decisions. I care more about price (of the books), user friendliness, and durability.
If I do it... if I jump into the E book world... I have choices... The Nook or the Kindle.... I don't know which way I'd go. HELP!!!
3 comments:
I can't say what the pro's and con's are with the Nook vs the Kindle. They both look pretty badass.
The environmental factors are already outlined in your blog, but with technology constantly upgrading, the obsolete machines we go through are a pretty substancial environmental no-no, as well. The bigger chains are starting to recycle old electronics now, but it's still in the early stages, and unless everyone makes it part of their routine, who knows what kind of impact it will have with the technological garbage people throw away each year?
What sways me towards breaking down and buying an E-reader is the convenience. Many times, I'll be NO WHERE near a book store when I come across a book that I want to read. And even with my frequent trips, swinging by a bookstore WITH my coupon AND my frequent buyer card on me usually doesn't happen unless I plan a specifiic trip to go to the stores for that very reason. Which makes an e-reader a lazy girl's dream come true. With a few taps on some buttons, my book is in front of me at the time I want it, and waiting for me when I'm ready to pick up where I left off.
Engadget has some pretty good articles on e-readers and tablets. The last article I read was that an e-reader was MUCH better than an iPad if you are reading before bed because the display won't stimulate your eyes, keeping you up longer than you want to be. So, that's just my little 2 cents to add.
Yeah - very true. I mean ... buying books and those ending up in landfills or buying electronics and those ending up in landfills are both ... well bad.
I think that the life of an E book and the life of a book are obviously different... a book can last for years ad years and years... but who would read it, would it collect dust, would you buy more. On average I buy 2-4 books a month. I figure that's anywhere from 24-48 books a year... if not more. And I keep them, I lend them out only once in a while, and they collect dust. The printers killed trees, used toxins, processed, etc... to create that one book that only got read once. It's a shame but it's a guilty pleasure.
The convenience is short lived in my opinion (for myself). I dont have that issue of not having a book handy. I love to read so much and so often that I have a stock of 2 or more books at home or at my office at any given time to keep my mind occupied on the subway, at lunch or before bed. I think that inconvenience of a e-book will be what keeps me teetering in the land of no where.
You cannot use it on the plane during that no electronic moment. If you didnt download another book and finished one on the subway... all the same you need to wait till you are above ground. If the battery runs out, you can't just turn the page, you need to recharge that sucker, and how about if my book is not available?
I think the hardest draw back though for me is cost. Yes the E-reader will be approx. $250, but then how about the books. I'm all for the bargain book rack. I read so much that I need to shop at it sometimes. I also love sales and using my discount cards - I heard that the E-books will be sold at around $10 a piece. I don't know if this is true or not, but I'd sure miss my $7 paperbacks.
So yeah, I think there is more research to be done... and more evaluating.
Ever since I picked up crocheting again, I've been reading a little bit less... a book lasting me at least 2 weeks now rather than 4-5 days. That's good... when I can't crochet, I read, when I can't read, I crochet.
I'll check out that website you mentioned for some more reviews though.
A green solution for books:
www.thriftbooks.com
They "recycle". (sell used books at good prices).
Post a Comment