Buy, borrow, or swap? How to build a sustainable reading habit?

Do you ever wonder how your reading habits affect our planet? Every year, millions of new books are printed, bought, and often forgotten on dusty shelves after just one read.

Buying fewer books, or swapping and borrowing instead, is one way you can reduce waste and save resources. Read on to learn how building a sustainable reading habit can help protect the environment.

Books and the environment: How your choices affect the planet

The books you select each day produce an impact on the environment. Each new book printed requires paper from trees, water to produce pages, and energy to power machines and transport vehicles. For instance, one tree is needed to make around 25 new books; making just one book uses about 7.5 liters of water and creates around 7.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2). Here are some points to consider:

• When people buy many books and read them only once, resources are wasted. Unread books pile up on shelves and later end up as unwanted trash in landfills;
• Borrowing or swapping saves paper, water, and cuts down on pollution. When many readers use just one copy of a book, fewer new ones need to be printed;
• Digital reading via e-books or the Headway app can also lower your environmental footprint. E-readers use fewer natural resources than repeated printing, but they rely on energy use, device production materials, and eventual electronic waste disposal.

Choosing how you get books matters. Each thoughtful choice reduces waste, protects resources such as forests and water supplies, and helps limit pollution from factories.

Buying books in an eco-friendly way

If you decide to buy a book, you can still choose options that limit harm to the planet. Small changes to the way you purchase reduce waste and help protect forests and wildlife.

• Some publishers, like Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Scholastic, focus on using recycled paper or renewable resources for their production. Recycled paper saves trees by turning old paper into new pages, which limits tree cutting and water use. Renewable materials also lower the depletion of natural resources;
• Supporting local bookstores cuts down on transport impacts. Books shipped from a distant place create carbon emissions due to fuel burned by trucks or planes. Local purchases shorten this travel distance, leading to fewer emissions overall;
• Second-hand bookstores offer another way to extend the useful life of existing copies. Books purchased second-hand mean fewer new prints; this reduces demand for raw materials such as wood pulp and water.

Your choice about where you buy your books makes an impact. Selecting recycled paper editions, buying closer to home, or choosing second-hand titles helps lower pollution, reduce energy use, and conserve natural resources.

Borrow books instead of buying

If you enjoy reading but want to limit waste, borrowing books is a smart way to read sustainably. Public libraries, digital lending platforms, and community sharing provide access to many titles without the need to buy new ones. Each borrowed book means fewer copies printed, helping reduce your impact on nature.

Public libraries offer free access to thousands of titles. Most cities have at least one local library that anyone can join by signing up for a lending card. Libraries update their collections often, so you can choose a variety of books without creating extra waste.

Another way is borrowing directly through friends or neighbors within book clubs or community groups. Many groups form informal clubs where members pass around favorite books after reading them. Sharing this way can help you build connections and discover writings recommended by people you know. It also creates stronger bonds in your community, as readers talk about ideas from shared books and discuss different viewpoints.

Digital books and audiobooks: are they better for the environment?

Ebooks and audiobooks offer readers a different way to enjoy stories without printing paper pages. Compared to printed materials, they use no paper, ink, or physical shipping. Still, electronic reading and listening have their environmental impacts, such as device production and power use.

When considering using digital formats, many people have a similar question: Are audiobooks as good as reading physical texts? The answer depends on personal preference and lifestyle habits. Listening can save time for people busy with tasks like driving or cooking. Yet some prefer text for deeper concentration and understanding.

Advantages of ebooks and audiobooks:

• No paper needed, so fewer trees are cut down;
• Avoid ink chemicals and pollutants often used in traditional printing;
• Eliminate the need for delivery trucks or planes that create pollution from fuel use;
• Save storage space at home; no large shelves needed for virtual libraries;
• Easy portability: multiple titles can fit on one lightweight device.

Drawbacks to consider:

• Audiobooks require higher energy for streaming and downloading audio data;
• Production of electronic devices creates electronic waste and uses limited metals;
• Digital devices depend heavily on electricity, increasing power consumption.

Practical steps to make your reading habit sustainable

Your everyday reading choices affect the planet, but you can change those habits easily. Follow these practical tips and reduce your environmental impact:

• Set clear reading goals before you get books, so you avoid waste. Plan how many books you need each month and choose only those you’ll actually read;
• Use different types of reading formats, such as ebooks on digital devices or apps, paperbacks from the library, or second-hand books;
• Take care of the books in your home by storing them safely, so they last longer. Keep them away from damp spots or direct sunlight that causes them to wear out faster;
• Swap already-read books with friends or neighbors. Organize book swaps in your area to encourage reuse instead of buying new copies;
• Avoid plastic covers or bookmarks; choose reusable accessories made from paper or cloth instead. Use natural materials rather than plastic holders or packaging when possible.

Make your reading habit sustainable – start today

To build a sustainable reading habit, choose carefully how you get your books.

Buying fewer new copies, borrowing from a library, or swapping with friends all reduce the burden on our planet. So, start today by making small changes to your reading routine for a greener future.