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If 10,000 Biters buy a copy of Deathly Hallows over another non-sustainably produced, similarly sized book, we'll save 441 trees.

COCKTAIL FACT

In a 2005 study, doctors in Oxford found child accident rates were lower on weekends when Harry Potter books were released. Just watch out for paper cuts.

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What's the most magical thing about the new Harry Potter book?

The Bite

It's not a plot twist, a dead main character (um, well...), or even a sweet new spell. As the last in the best-selling children's book series of all time, the printing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows novel will use more sustainable paper than any previous book. And that's no fiction.

The Benefits

  • Sustainable paper. Of the 16,700 tons of paper used in the first printing of the final book, 65% was certified by the the Forest Stewardship Council as sustainably harvested.
  • Setting an example for the publishing industry. U.S. book publishers use 20 million trees per year, so moving to greener paper is a big deal.
  • An even more gratifying read. You're gonna read it anyway, but Harry's final showdown with You-Know-Who reads even better on sustainable paper.

Personally Speaking

So much for using whatever press cred we may have for an advance copy. We pre-ordered copies back in March, and Heather's literally spending all weekend locked in her room, reading.

Wanna Try?

Jul 20,2007


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New Harry Potter Book = Crack Den for Heather
Don't call me this weekend. Or email. Or knock on my door. Or try to make plans. Or expect me to workout, or even to sleep for that matter. I will be holed up in my room from Saturday morning onward, reading the final book until my eyes burn and pop further out of my head than Dobby's, aimlessly reaching for salted almonds, probably drooling slightly. (OK, OK, I'll most likely have finished it by the end of the day on Saturday, and if he's dead, you can come over and save me from my wine-soaked angst over the death of a fictitious, teenage, um, wizard).

Oh yes, I am that much of a Harry-Potter-loving geek. The fact that the book's paper has a higher recycled content? Gravy.

For me (and my sister-in-law and about a million little kids all over the world), it's the end of an era. Never again will there be this point in time - a final day when we don't know what happens. Culturally fascinating, really. From here on out, the movies will be out on DVD, the stories will be told, everyone will already know if he's dead or alive at the end of the series. Poor, poor little future Harry Potter readers. (Does it make me even more odd that I am leaning toward having a kid just so we can read HP together? Hmmmm.)

All right, I know, I know. "Oooooh-Kaaaay, Heather...It's.  Just.  A.  Book."

Yeah, right. And Fox Mulder is just a regular ole FBI agent...

-Heather... off to, well, buy some eyedrops...

Biter Comments...
Hey Heather, enjoy your Potter weekend! but don't read it too fast, as unfortunately, these are the last sweet moments of unread adventures of Harry :( I also wanted to invite you and all of Harry Potter's fans to take part in the celebration we're having at Eco-Libris in honor of the release of the new Harry Potter book, which is considered by many the greenest book ever printed (at least when it comes to best sellers). To participate in it ( we call it "Eco-Libris and The Green Wizards"), Harry Potter's fans are invited to send a picture of themselves posing with any of the books in the series. The first 50 people to do so will receive a special gift - seven trees planted for them in developing countries, to balance out seven of their books in honor of the seven books in the Potter series. They will also receive seven Eco-Libris stickers saying “One Tree was Planted for This Book” to be proudly displayed on their books sleeves. Our judges will pick the best photo of all and we'll send a free copy of the new Harry Potter, printed on 100% recycled paper, to the gifted photographer. so, don't be shy and start posing with Harry :-) Enjoy a weekend of magic, Raz Godelnik Eco-Libris www.ecolibris.net
Now I get confused! http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/807/
I have seen your site it's good website is about "new harry potter book" is good and i got more information from your site especially the starting pera"Don't call me this weekend. Or email. Or knock on my door. Or try to make plans. Or expect me to workout, or even to sleep for that matter. I will be holed up in my room from Saturday morning onward, reading the final book until my eyes burn" i like it very much.The information which is very use full to all the book lovers especially"new harry potter book" .While i am reading your site i enjoyed very much.Very recently i have visited one book review site which is smiler to yours that may be use full to you and your visitors.To get more info...about that site here is a link........ new harry potter book,
Finally, the publishers are catching on and using sustainable paper in major print runs. I bought my last 3 Harry Potters from Canada to so I would have copies printed on recycled paper, even though I had to wait 10 days for them and some idiot ruined the ending of Book 6 for me. This time, I'm buying from an independent bookstore here--but I still have to wait 3 days as we'll be out of town this weekend. My fingers are crossed that I can keep away from all media until I'm done reading. And Heather, I'm right there with ya. If Harry dies, well, I'll be in mourning for a while...
Green would be pushing technology companies to develop a device that can truly replace books with digital ink and reuseable pages and yet was portable enough to allow you to curl up next to the fire and read. This is merely a consumer push fitting in with the "Green is the new black" style trend going on. I am not saying don't buy the book as properly cared for it would last generations but let's not look at this for more than it is worth. It is a marketing campaign by billionaires to make more money. Yes, I'll be buying the book as I know it will get many uses immediately. I can read it tomorrow and then the rest of the family can have it on Sunday. It would be great if the entire industry went to 100% post-consumer waste recycled but even that isn't exactly green. Hundreds of gallons of water and tons of CO2 would go into every book.
I think it is fantastic that this book has a smaller footprint. I do believe that this has more to do with promotion than carbon. But still it is a positive move. My main point here however is that when i read this article today...my pessimistic mind wondered.....is this article really another 'Ad' that was bought and paid for by the publisher to promote the book? My optimistic mind believes ideal bite would not do this -- but I just don't know -- at the end of the day business is business Sorry, I am a victim of my profession. I have worked in developing internet content for a long time and you would be amazed at what content is actually a paid 'Ad'. Happy reading everyone.
65% recycled paper? Sounds like Harry Potter is just riding the green trend. What's wrong with 100%? How much virgin paper is being used to print the "first run"? Nearly 6,000 tons. That's not green. Using more sustainable paper than any previous book is a half truth. The sheer quantity of recycled paper is true. But suggesting Harry Potter books are setting a milestone in green publishing is as far from the truth as fiction can take you. Countless books use 100% recycled paper, better inks, bindery glues, distribution methods, etc. But not Harry Potter. Sixty five percent is better than zero. But considering the positive impact this series has made on an entire generation of readers, they could at least set a socially responsible example while raking in so much profit(some of which is made by using only 65% recycled paper).
Hey Biter Muggles… just a reminder about our editorial policy. In an Ideal Bite Daily Tip, the only companies that can pay to be included are the ones who provide the vertical and horizontal ads on the right side and bottom of the page (in today’s Tip, they were Method, and InTheseTimes.com). Paid ads like these always have the word “sponsor” listed next to the graphic. Occasionally, we will run a Green Chip Showcase (GCS) – a single email devoted to one paid advertiser. This email goes out in a different format than the Daily Tip, and we ALWAYS label that email as paid advertorial with a link to our GCS description.
I would like to put today's "Bang for the Bite" in perspective. 441 trees is less than an acre of trees within a sustainable forestry project. That is the same amount of land that 8 houses sit on in a typical suburb. http://www.cpluhna.nau.edu/Research/pinerestoration.htm
@Toshio thanks!
I think it's great that they are usig sustainable paper, but it should be mentioned that if you want to truly be green you should just have a little patience and then borrow it from a friend or check it out from the library! Remember that first R - Reduce!
Libraries rule!! For books,Cd's & DVD's. Ours does a garden series program once a month except the summer months & December. Very informative. They have done this since 2000. Master Gardeners can get educational hours(1.5hrs) for these. Our library also has many programs for kids of all ages(K-12). During the school year & summertime. So support your local library!!
I read on treehugger yesterday that the American printing by Scholastic is not using any of the sustainable printing methods like in the UK and Canada. So, I went to amazon.co.uk and I bought an English copy. Yes, I will have to wait 6-10 days to get it (which would bother any big fan), but I feel better not supporting un-sustainable paper products from Scholasitc. Go to treehugger.com to read about it yourself. Spread the word!!
60% recycled paper is indeed moving in the right direction, however J.K. Rowling requested that ALL printing be on 100% recycled paper. Publishers in Britain and Canada have answered the call but Scholastic, the U.S. publisher, has refused to honor the supreme headmistress's decree and are greenwashing somewhat with a 60% recycled version. All in pursuit of the almighty dollar. If you haven't preordered yet and can wait a bit, consider ordering the Canadian version. Alas, then we increase CO2 emissions with shipping - which is the lesser evil? On pure principle, however, I'd consider the going with the Canucks.
Hooray for Gloria! Libraries do indeed rule! Our local library has so many great things to do for both kids and adults, from geneology/heritage to yoga. It is ALWAYS packed (and it is a small town library!) Next weekend the county library system is even sponsoring a Harry Potter birthday party! I cannot remember the last time I purchased a book, but I borrow many each month from the library. I always have a dozen or so on hold. In fact, a few weeks ago, I put my name on the hold list for the new Harry Potter book. I am #124. Hmmmm... that might take a while. = )
I LOVE my library!! My town,Lowell,IN is small(8000),but my library is only 10yrs old & was built for future expension inside & outside if necessary. It is surrounded by a nature trail that has native trees & plants. It has lots of programs for adults too including book clubs, poetry, quilting etc. & the garden series mentioned above. We can request books from our county library branches for free. Various organizations such as girl & boy scouts use the two meeting rooms for free. They have blood drives there every month or two. I am always there borrowing a book or a DVD or two. It is 5 mins from my house. It is a good thing for the planet & I love using it. Good luck getting the Harry Potter book =).
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