Harry Potter Goes Green

In additon to being the fastest selling book in both the United States and Britain, Harry Potter has set another important record -- only this time for the benefit of the environment. The seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling, ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,’ is printed on FSC certified paper. "With a total of 22 million pounds, this is the largest purchase of FSC-certified paper in a single book printing to date (FSC News Headlines, 03/21/07)."

FSC stands for the Forest Stewardship Council, which is an organization dedicated to making sure forests are managed in an environmentally responsible way. Harry Potter's US publisher, Scholastic, Inc., ensured that at least 65% of the 16,700 tons of paper used for the initial printing of 12 million copies in the US is FSC-certified and contains at least 30% post-consumer waste fiber, in accordance with FSC standards.

As the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, Scholastic continues to work with Rainforest Alliance to improve its carbon footprint by engaging in more responsible paper procurement policies.

Senior marketing manager in the Rainforest Alliance’s sustainable forestry program, Liza Murphy, states, “We applaud Scholastic’s progressive and bold commitment to support responsible forestry practices by buying FSC-certified and recycled papers. We hope that other businesses follow this lead by making commitments to using wood products that come from forests that are managed to be productive, protect soils and waterways, and benefit local communities.”

More About FSC Forestlands (from FSC News Headlines, 03/21/07):

"The area of FSC-certified forestlands has skyrocketed in recent years. More than 215 million acres (87 million hectares) globally are FSC-certified to date, up from more than 118 million acres (48 million hectares) in 2004. This increase has propelled rapid growth in the global supply of FSC-certified wood products including paper. Several hundred pulp providers, mills, merchants and printers globally have obtained FSC certification, which allows for increasing availability of certified products to consumers.

"Increasing consumer interest in FSC-certified products ensures that forest companies have growing economic incentives to manage their lands responsibly."

(Source: Rainforest Alliance Press Release, 03/20/07)