For many, reading is the best time to relax. But have you ever considered which option is better for the environment: a paper book or an e-book?
The benefits of e-books
E-books are more popular than ever. An e-reader can store hundreds of books and takes up less space. Yet producing an e-reader requires a lot of energy and raw materials, which can be harmful to the environment. Fortunately, this offsets if you read at least 25 e-books in 5 years; then the impact is lower than if you bought the same amount of paper books.
Paper books: Still a favourite
Paper books remain the favourite. But their production is not without consequences. Trees are felled, and making paper consumes a lot of energy and causes CO2 emissions. For 120 paper books, this amounts to 153 kilograms of CO2.
Which is more sustainable?
According to experts, an e-reader is more environmentally friendly if you read enough books on it. But if you only read books occasionally, or buy second-hand books, a paper book can be just as sustainable.
In short, both options have advantages and disadvantages. So the next time you pick up a book, consider which is the best choice for you and for the environment.
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