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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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Witch
Points: 956
harryluvsginny! says:
Ok! Sorry, but i must post more about this issue. As u have probably guessed if you read my comments, i live in the U.S.! And i seriously think that it is outragious that the canadians make a protest NOW! I mean, i know that all of you Harry Potter Fans out there are going to let recycled paper and none recycled paper to get in your way of reading HBP! Honestly.... if there is a single person on this sight, or is a dedicated reader of this sight, that is going to stop reading Harry Potter because of some recycled paper i think that you should leave. (no offense or anything) :P
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 9:37 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2401
tonks 27 says:
Holy cow, scholastic just said that they aren't endangering any forests or anything...lay off!
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 9:42 PM EST
Student
Points: 271
HermioneCat says:
I definately think it is too late, Some people of course will go for that but it just wouldn't make sense for me. Maybe for BOOK 7 they will think about it a lot earlier than a week before the release!
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 9:43 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1483
DragonTattoo says:
Schmoogie...they just had to go and lay that on my cons ience
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 9:49 PM EST
Student
Points: 261
Phoenix_Song89 says:
Soeey- woudl have loved to save the earth..but I have already bought this online..I see no point o change it now..maybe next book?
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 9:58 PM EST
Student
Points: 252
*ILuvH.P.* says:
I'm a person who really cares about the enviroment, but why didn't you tell us earlier?! No one is going to buy them now! If they had said so earlier then more people would buy them then. I mean really! * Sighs at the stupidity of some people*
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 9:59 PM EST
Squib
Points: 106
Firebolts_R_Cool2 says:
I respect the environmentalist but i am going to get the regular copy or the deluxe edition from Barnes and Noble.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 10:00 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
I'm not changing my order... come on. I mean, I know they have good intentions and I do think that recycled paper should be used if possible. But, I don't know about you, but I liked how books 1-3 were published on really nice thick paper and I'm kind of disappointed at the quality of the paper in later books. The only torn pages I have are in the later books. I know, if the paper was thicker the books would probably be 3 times as hugh, but still, there's something nice about opening a book with good quality paper.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 10:02 PM EST
Student
Points: 252
*ILuvH.P.* says:
When I said "*Sighs at the stupidity of some people*" I didn't mean it to offend anyone, sorry..............
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 10:03 PM EST
Witch
Points: 550
HermioneGranger92288 says:
What effect does it all have now? they're already printed and ordered! and no offense to anyone, but i personallly find it pretty pathetic to pay extra and wait longer for a book we're so obsessed with just to save a few trees. seems kinda stupid to me.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 10:06 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1600
jenn007a says:
I can see where they are coming from, but there are only 8 days left until the book comes out and not many people are going to change thier orders now. I think that they should've thought of this a while ago!
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 10:07 PM EST
Squib
Points: 137
HaHaCantKillMe says:
Haha...I hope those people have fun with that. This is the most aniticipated book of the year. There is absolutely no way that most people are going to cancel their order to order something because it's more environmentaly safe.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 10:20 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1921
gubbyfish says:
Do they really think this will stand in the way of Potter fans getting their book at the soonest possible second? I think Scholastic has been plenty responsible.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 10:21 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1029
Magic Dancer K says:
I think that they should have started this campaign a little sooner. I mean, everyone has already pre-ordered their books basically.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 10:33 PM EST
Witch
Points: 695
LunaLove#1 says:
Maybe I would've preordered my copy of HBP from Canada if I hadn't already booked one in America. I'm all for protecting the environment but not only is it kind of late, but if Scholastic already uses forest-friendly paper, -just not as friendly, then I don't see the big deal. To order one from Canada costs more money and takes longer. Oh and I'm sure they didn't mean harm in the way you think they do, -so give them a break!
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 10:52 PM EST
The Last Herald-Mage
Points: 2621
darrrrkwind says:
It's too bad that these groups didn't raise this concern earlier. I don't think many people are going to change their book-buying plans at this stage. I know that I'm not.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 11:01 PM EST
Obsessive Genius
Points: 3175
FeeLinG_bLuE says:
Uhh...a little late, don't you guys think??? I mean, Scholastic has already printed all the books, so if you don't buy it, it will be a waste anyway. I respect their opinion, but I'm still buying the Scholastic edition.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 11:10 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 19
evilveela says:
Why would I give my money to Canada instead of helping the U.S. economy?! And I already ordered my copy a long time ago!
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 11:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 557
Amelia Black says:
They have a great idea to have it put on recycled paper, I wish the US had done that.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 11:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 874
Together Forever, H/Hr... says:
**rolls eyes** I understand them wanting to save the trees adn all but I don't see why they have to boycott a perfectly good book. I don't think we should just waste the trees adn ruin them or anything but give me a break...
In Christ
DanRad820
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 11:29 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1493
Hedwig4eva says:
I'm getting my book from a local book store that as far as I know only sells the American version. While I believe that the books should be printed on recycled paper, I also know that Scholastic does what they can economically for the forests. I also agree that it adds to the American economy as well.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 11:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 753
Mollycoddling says:
As most intelligent folks here have already noted, trees are a renewable resource. If Scholastic is not endangering forests this means the paper is coming from a grower (for those of you who are worried about the spotted owl, you can farm trees just like you can any other thing that grows. And they do.)
What I wonder about is what Greenpeace has to say about all of the damage the chemicals from recycling inflict on the ecology... hmmm....
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 11:32 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4499
PowerGranger says:
I agree that this is interesting timing for this call for a boycott. It seems a bit more attention-seeking than actually practical for the cause, since, as everyone pointed out, the books have already been printed. I guess the idea is that if we all buy the Canadian versions and leave the American ones gathering dust on the shop shelves, it will make a statement to Scholastic. Unfortunately, that wastes the paper those idle books were made with. Better timing might have called some of us to action, but it sounds like most people feel it's too late to change their purchase. I do think it's important for us to look at the issue, though, and see if it's something to take up well in advance of book #7's printing.
Heartening to see people on both sides getting pretty passionate about this article, by the way!
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 11:33 PM EST
Vader's Veela
Points: 3858
seekerfan says:
I seem to remember that they said, way back when, that all of the HBP books were going to be printed on recycled paper? I wonder what happened? Of course, the enviornmental guys will freak out. What did they expect??? Doubt it will make any bit of difference, though.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 11:52 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 335
Jamie loves Cedric says:
I think that these people should have sent this announcement out a little bit eariler because a lot of people pre ordered books and now they are stuck with those.
Posted Jul 8, 2005 at 12:01 AM EST
Student
Points: 225
Balthazar says:
Good on Greenpeace for trying, but i don't think they're going to have much luck in getting people to wait for an environmentally friendly version.
Posted Jul 8, 2005 at 12:24 AM EST
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