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JULY 7, 2005 at 9:30 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: New York Times
Environmental groups Greenpeace and the National Wildlife Federation are asking
Harry Potter fans in the U.S. not to buy the Scholastic version of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince but to instead purchase the book from Canadian publisher Raincoast Books because it is printed on recycled paper.
Raincoast publishes the Harry Potter books on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, whereas Scholastic have disclosed that they use only paper that did not come from ancient or endangered forests.
Ms. Rycroft, campaigns director of Markets Initiative, a conservation group in Canada said:
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.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Scholastic, Ms. Kyle Good commented:
I think the fans who know Scholastic and the people who buy from Scholastic understand that we are an environmentally concerned company and we don't endanger forests ever with the paper we use.
Some larger publishers in the U.S. are concerned about the lack of forest-friendly paper as well as the cost and quality of the paper. Ms. Rowling's agent, Neil Blair from the Christopher Little Literary Agency said the author would not comment on the matter.
If you do choose to order your book from Canada please note that it will cost you $2 more, not including extra shipping costs. You can also check out this story from the BBC.
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Professor
Points: 1127
Elrond says:
They had better be careful, messing with Scholastic could be a costly mistake. Even though they are doing whats right at the end of the day.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 2:26 PM EST
Divination Professor
Points: 5245
Angelly says:
Yeah, I live in Canada so I ordered my copy from the Canadian publishers. I think that the fact that Canada uses recycled paper is very positive, and that Scholastic should do the same for the seventh book, in the least. This should have been taken into account earlier, not long after the release date was announced. Most people pre-ordered their copies earlier, so if this information was given earlier perhaps more people would buy the Canadian version. It's too late to do anything big now, I think. Oh well, at least my copy is environmentally friendly.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 2:26 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 539
Emma's true fan and lover says:
Wow, I totally agree with Lupin'smoon. If I knew about this I would have most probably ordered my copy of HBP from Raincoast publishersbut this article is according to me late by two days when I ordered my copy. For most of the others, they ordered their copies a long time back. Another thing is that Raincoast has that ring of fire from Dumbledore's wand on the cover and no offence but I like the other one better. I would give anything to protect the environment but sigh, I kinda feel guilty that I was of no good to the environment with my decision. But once this is over , I hope thar Scholastic starts using recycled paper, after all, people would definitely take the less costing route even if it is a matter of couple of bucks.
Come on Scholastic, using recycled paper is the new way to print.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 2:27 PM EST
My Destiny Awaits
Points: 10268
Goddess of Love and Evil says:
I never thought about the harry potter series using so much trees. I mean like one million copies are already pre order and then the midnight rush...that's alot of trees. Good thing I live in Canada so I'm getting a recycled book!
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 2:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 971
IceQueen. says:
Erlack, let us have Harry without trouble! It's a little late to start saying that, seeing as most of the Harry Potter population is going to get the Scholastic version! I think they should go..err back to their habitat, & leave us alone.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 2:34 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1314
Lemon Drop says:
They should have been complaining about this a while ago, I already have my book reserved and I don't plan to change that.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 2:36 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 55
Osian says:
They probably could have gotten a better response if they did this "boycott" three months ago. With over 10 million copies reserved, I don't think many people are going to switch and cancel those reservations for the sake of Greenpeace. I love the environment, but they needed to wake up a little sooner.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 2:43 PM EST
The Chosen One
Points: 9942
Gryffindor Dude says:
I will buy whatever is on the shelf when I go to Wal-Mart on the night of the 15th. So if Scholastics is there thats what I am buying sorry.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 2:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 863
CursedForever says:
Well I've pre-ordered one and I dunno whether its scholtastic or not - but they said its only the U.S version right?
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 2:57 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1819
zues says:
Using recycled paper is good and all, but it's not like the books are going to be read once and then thrown out.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 2:58 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2852
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Well Scholastic dosen't use old or endagred trees... I dont see the problem... I mean sure they can use some more of recyled paper but its not big of a deal... ( at lease thats my opinion)
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 2:59 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1780
TheOtherMinister says:
The Greenpeace people have a point about using recycled paper. I know the people of Scholastic are concerned about the environmental problems the world has, but they should do something about it.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:00 PM EST
Student
Points: 247
Brothers says:
While I appreaciate protecting the enviroment, I beleive this is going a little far. I'm not changing my order because some groups thinks it's better if I go through a diffrent publishing firm.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:24 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 593
AlmostThere1117 says:
I dont agree with this at all, plus I already ordered my book! No offense, but why would someone in America want to go through all the trouble of paying an extra $2, extra shipping and handling charges, and not get the book on the release date? This doesn't make sense to me.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:27 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 874
Silly Dragon says:
Th ecologists are right, yet they're going a little too far, I believe most of US readers have ordered their book to Scholastic. Furthermore, HBP isn't the only "non-forest-friendly-best-seller" published by Scholastic. What about the previous Harry Potter books? And the rest of Scholastic's publication in General? Boycotting HBP sounds like a pure nonsense. They better boycott Scholastic. Incidentally, what is the English edition (Bloomsbury) printed on? Then I don't want to pay more for a book because it's ecologic. That's a wrong way of promoting recycled paper.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 885
Rachyracho says:
I think they are releasing this a little too late. Scholastic is the one who is getting the book to places in the us for the day it is released. I ordered my copy the first day it was available on Amazon months ago. How are we supposed to change now. I waited this long for the book, I'm not going to wait a couple extra days because scholastic doesn't use 100 % recycled paper.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:30 PM EST
Squib
Points: 106
JatonGreen says:
Could not have said it better myself Michelleypie! Trees are a resource that is meant to be used, AS LONG AS the trees are replanted then there is nothing wrong with the process.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:32 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 371
Mamaille says:
*sigh*
These people have nothing better to do than complain. If the type of paper have bothered these envirmentalists before, than they should haved complained when the release of HBP was a 100 days away not 8.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:33 PM EST
Student
Points: 224
-i-luv-ron- says:
I'm Canadian so I'm getting the environmentally friendly version but dont you think that they're a bit too late telling people this? My question is why areen't the publishers in the staes using recycled paper? I thought that they of all countries would know how much good recycling can do.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:33 PM EST
You Know Who
Points: 3006
Hurry Patter says:
Actually there's nothing wrong with paper directly produced from trees. There's a lot of tree plantations where they grow trees for the purpose of making paper. What is wrong if old growth forest are being cut down to produce the paper.
Anyway, are recycled paper really enivironment friendly as they said it is? :)
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:39 PM EST
Student
Points: 226
StewieLuvsHarry says:
I agree this should have been brought up as a concern earlier. I'e waited this long for the book, but I don't think I can wait the extra few days to get it from Canada.
Also, to all our British readers, I am so sorry to hear about the bombings in London. You are all in my prayers.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:42 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 85
Jameroqui says:
I think they need to get a clue! I mean c'mon, they already printed everything out!! It's a tad late I believe!
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:43 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 371
*)Blueyedwitch(* says:
These people have nothing better to do, obviousley they have no job or a really boring one. Yes it is kinda late to be asking for that.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:44 PM EST
Witch
Points: 692
FizzingWhizbeez says:
Sorry, but not buying books that have already been printed doesn't save the lives of any trees. I agree that all paper items should be made on recycled paper if possible, but I'm not going to boycott something just because it wasn't. These advocate groups always want to boycott and picket and smear - instead they should be educating and encouraging and eventually more people will come around to the right way of thinking. (IMHO of course)
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:44 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1031
HPfanatic10 says:
Many people care about the environment and it is of course a priority to keep it safe. But seriously even with their plea to buy the Canadian copy, not many people are going to listen, if they had spoke out much earlier then maybe people would have considered it.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:47 PM EST
Squib
Points: 188
Triofan4eva says:
Hmmm...this is a contreversial (sp?) issue. I don't buy a book because trees have been saved, I buy it because I like to read!
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:50 PM EST
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