Traditional Book vs. E-Reader: Which is greener?

E-readers are the new technological revolution, and they're starting to influence the market of printed books. While these e-readers may be more convenient, the question is are they greener? It's for you to decide.

Printed books have the capacity to be read by thousands of people. They have been around for hundreds and years, and the printing press increased their popularity. They're available in public libraries supported by tax dollars of a community. These books can be loaned to other libraries, and patrons have the ability to borrow these books for free by using a library card. They're available in bookstores and a large handful of online stores. However, with the new e-reader on the market in the last few years, the book sales have been slowly declining.

On the flip slide, when individuals use an e-reader, these books cost money. While some e-readers may be in color, the the quality of their screen may not compare to other e-readers. For instance, the Kindle has an anti-glare screen which allows you to read it in the sun. E-readers also allow the readers to store their books on the device as soon as they purchase it. They can organize their purchases into folders, highlight and bookmark passages. Magazines and newspapers are also available, often for a much cheaper rate.

However, there are other factors that have to be considered in this argument. First, there is cost. The book itself is often much cheaper than the e-reader that may cost anywhere between $100 and $300. The author of the book is paid different royalties whenever the individual buys a book or buys it on the e-reader. They may receive as much as $3.90 for a print book, but as low as $2.12 for a digital book. In addition, the cost of production for an e-reader is much cheaper than a traditional book. A regular book costs around $4.50 to produce, while a download for a Kindle or a Nook may cost as low as 50 cents to produce.

The material in the e-reader should also be considered before making a purchase. An e-reader uses up to 79 gallons of water in order to make its batteries. In addition, it's composed of 33 pounds of minerals, in which the main mineral is gravel. In contrast, a traditional book uses around 2 gallons of water to make the pulp which is used for paper. In fact, a printed book uses 2/3 of the materials used to make an e-reader.

In 2008, a study a studying of the U.S. newspaper and book industry found printed books have a higher carbon footprint. The carbon footprint includes the raw materials, paper production, printing, shipping and disposal of the book. However, the Association of American Publishers reported at the end of 2009 that e-book sales were above traditional printed books, which took a decrease.  In fact, by 2012, e-books are anticipated to reach $400 million.

The more an individual reads on their e-reader, the more it's going to be eco-friendly. Paperbacks and other traditional books have the ability to be recycled, in many forms. For instance, they can be donated to the library or given to a used bookstore. While an e-reader such as Kindle or Nook can't be recycled easily, many books are at a reasonable price. Also, there are many books on the Kindle that are free.

Finally, the disposal of the e-reader and traditional book is important to consider. Individuals have to be weary of recycling their e-reader because there is a possibility it may be done illegally. If so, the individual which recycles it may be exposes to toxic chemicals. Likewise, if a book ends up in a landfill, the warming emissions may have a strong impact on local water systems. However, many of these health concerns are starting to be eliminated as products are becoming more eco-friendly. For instance, some books are being printed on soy-based inks and more books are being printed on recycled paper.