Several studies have been undertaken to assess the environmental impact of the printed book. Confusingly, all differ in their findings.
According to Cleantech, the amount of Co2 generated by each book is 7.46 kg;[4] according to Eco Libris, it’s 4.14 kg Co2.[5] Whilst higher estimates also exist, studies conducted in Europe tend to be much lower 2.1 kg Co2[6] and 0.6kg Co2 per book).[7]
This is most probably due to smaller transportation distances, as well as differences in paper production and printing, and therefore likely to be more representative of the UK market. However, according to Chowdhury,[8] the environmental impact of the printed book is greater for libraries because ‘library storage of books... requires a considerable amount of energy because a constant temperature and humidity condition has to be maintained throughout the year’, although he does acknowledge that this is an area which requires further investigation.
Yet many libraries keep books shelved in reading rooms, which require a similar level of heating as their users, which begs the question why this extra carbon burden should be applied exclusively to library books. Most studies have based their figures on books purchased for individual ownership, which is not the case for libraries.
Therefore it can reasonably be argued that the carbon footprint of a library book reduces every time it is read by a different person. This is illustrated by Borggren’s assertion that the environmental impact of physical books ‘can be significantly decreased by sharing books with others’.[9]