"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" Goes Green

Scholastic Inc., publisher of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, announced that the 784-paged book will be more environmentally friendly.

In agreement with the Rainforest Alliance, Deathly Hollows pages will contain a minimum of 30% post consumer waste fiber. In addition, 2/3 of the paper will be approved by the Forest Stewardship Council. In their news statement, Scholastic claimed that, "This historic commitment is the largest purchase of FSC-certified paper to be used in the printing of a single book title."

Scholastic also announced that there will be a special deluxe edition of the book that will be printed entirely on 100% recycled paper.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows comes out July 21, 2007. The first printing contains 12 million copies.

In 2005, Green Peace and the National Wildlife Federation called for a boycott of Scholastic's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Price, encouraging fans to buy from the Canadian publisher Raincoast Books, which printed the book on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Said one environmental conservationist, "If we get Harry Potter and the Bible, that pretty much covers the best sellers. Scholastic has failed to really meaningfully step forward to have Harry printed on the most environmentally friendly paper that it can be."

In response to Scholastic's announcement, Greenpeace forest campaign coordinator Scott Paul said, "In Europe and Canada, the past several editions of the Harry Potter series have been printed on forest-friendly paper, per the wishes of J.K. Rowling. Many of the Harry Potter fans worldwide have been able to enjoy the books on FSC-certified paper, and it's great news that Rowling's American readers can enjoy the final installment of Harry Potter while playing a part in responsible forest management."

The Rainforest Alliance is an international organization that works with businesses to improve the environment. Their stated mission is "to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. Companies, cooperatives and landowners that participate in our programs meet rigorous standards that conserve biodiversity and provide sustainable livelihoods."

The Rainforest Alliance certifies forestlands to FSC standards. They worked directly with Scholastic to procure the nearly 22 million pounds of paper for the printing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.

The Forest Stewardship Council is "an international not-for-profit membership-based organization that brings people together to find solutions to the problems created by bad forestry practices and to reward good forest management."

Sources: The Rainforest Alliance, AND The Forest Stewardship Council