HarperCollins Publishers recognizes the importance of addressing its impact on climate change and is committed to taking significant steps to identify effective ways to decrease its energy use. We're continually working to reduce our environmental impact.
HarperCollins Global Book Paper Procurement Policy
HarperCollins global paper procurement and usage policy supports the general goals of environmentally sustainable fiber use, reducing pollution and conserving natural resources through recycling and waste reduction. As one of the major purchasers of paper in the publishing sector, we are committed to protecting and minimizing our impact on the environment. In order to produce materials responsibly we have adopted high standards for the procurement of paper. We actively work with our suppliers to maximize the efficient use of paper and reduce consumption.
Forest Management Practices
HarperCollins book printing paper is sourced from mills whose forest management practices are certified by independent, internationally recognized sustainable forestry certification bodies such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Suppliers who source wood from third party suppliers must provide proof that wood supplied by their third party sources has been harvested in an environmentally sound manner.
In addition we are committed to purchasing chain of custody certified paper where possible. Certifications accepted by HarperCollins are FSC, PEFC, SFI, and CSA.
HarperCollins requires compliance with all government regulations in each community and country where our paper suppliers operate. We do not do business with companies who collude with or purchase wood products from illegal logging operations. We aim to use only acceptable fiber sources and work with suppliers to eliminate the use of Indonesian fiber from books produced for HarperCollins.
Forest Fiber
Fiber and fiber sources for all forest based materials will be known and verified.
Fiber from the following will be excluded from all book paper used by HarperCollins:
- Illegally harvested fiber
- endangered and old growth forests
- Indonesian tropical rainforests
- any contentious supplier or their affiliates
- mixed tropical hardwood
- Acacia & Ramin trees
Chlorine
HarperCollins paper must be produced with pulp that has been bleached using either Totally Chlorine Free (TFC) or Elemental Chlorine Free (EFC) processes.
Aims and Goals
2013
- 80% of paper purchased by HarperCollins US for printing in the US will have Chain of Custody (COC) certification.
- 95% of paper used for HarperCollins US Children's and Adult books that print in Asia will be FSC certified.
- 70% of books printed by Harper UK will be FSC chain of custody certified
2014
- HarperCollins will work with our global supplier base to increase the use of COC-certified paper for all types of books.
- A control process started in 2013 by HarperCollins US will be rolled out globally:
- Only materials on the HarperCollins Global Approved Paper List (based on the HarperCollins Global Policy) will be used for book printing
- Material fiber tests will be carried out on printed books frequently and randomly to ensure fiber used in the paper manufacture conforms to mill fiber profile data.
2015
We have set a goal of 90% of tons used globally to have chain of custody certification by early 2015. In Asia and Europe, most of this paper will be FSC certified. In the US, we will use both SFI and FSC-certified paper.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
HarperCollins is committed to reducing its overall use of fiber where possible. We seek to reduce basis weights on titles where appropriate in order to reduce the use of fiber and raw materials consumed in the production of that paper. In addition, we have an extensive supply chain management process that allows us to better oversee print runs, and we are increasing the use of Print on Demand (POD) technologies to make for less waste in printing and shipping.
Employee Initiatives
HarperCollins thought about what they can do as a book publisher and instinctively launched an internal campaign, HarperGreen. Through this campaign, every aspect of its business has been examined and restructured to reduce carbon emissions. HarperCollins not only want its employees to make a difference, but have its consumers contribute as well. By implementing a new corporate purchasing program; installing energy efficient equipment and employing hybrid cars, the whole company is challenged to change its daily activities.
HarperCollinsUK was the first major publisher in the U.K. to take its operations carbon neutral. They have also partnered with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to create a new consumer logo to appear on the back cover all its FSC books and to print all of its mass-market fiction titles on FSC paper.
HarperCanada has partnered with the "Waste-to-Wonder" program, which involves charitable donations of obsolete computers, office furniture and office equipment to be re-used by charities and third-world schools.
HarperCollins Australia's distribution center, based outside of Sydney, won the 2008 Southern Highlands Business Awards for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability. The center was applauded not only for the range of its initiatives, but also for investing in energy-efficient equipment and encouraging suppliers and customers to follow its lead.
HarperGreen Report
Click here to view the latest HarperGreen Report.