How To Read More Sustainably

Now when the summer arrives, you think about reading more books, maybe in your garden or in a park or just on your couch at home. Have a cup of tea or coffee next to you and dive in to new worlds. Reading is good for your soul and mind, whatever the book is about. But the question is: Where do you get the next book?

There are plenty of ways to get a new book in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.

1. You can buy the book in a second hand or charity shop, like Oxfam or the British Heart Foundation. You might not always get the book that you are originally looking for, but in most cases these shops have a variety of books to choose from. Because they are already used, you don't produce extra CO2.

2. Instead of buying a new book on for example Amazon, there is also the option to buy a used book. Amazon shows different offers from smaller bookstores that sell used books. So, click on the used button and you will have almost the same impact as in 1., but obviously through transport, you will produce CO2. Even Oxfam has an online bookshop.

3. Some places have telephone booths that are secret bookshelves. It has one basic rule: You can take any book you want and replace that book with one book of your own. So, it's a win win situation. Here is an article about these hidden bookshelves in London. And with this you don't produce extra CO2 and don't even have to pay for a book.

4. Or you can just go to the nearest library. Most libraries have a great option on books. This would also help you with living more minimalistic.

There is also the discussion whether e-books are better for our environment than physical books or not. This article on GoodEReader explains really well what the advantages and disadvantages are and compares it to buying a new book. There are several aspects that need to be considered. E-books might not be made out of trees, but their components need to be produced for this sole purpose, like the display and the battery. That has a big impact on the environment. Then again, books are made out of trees and need a lot of water to print. The conclusion of the discussion is basically, that if an e-reader owner reads less than 50 books on their e-reader it would have a lighter impact on the environment than buying 50 physical books. Once you break the 50 book threshold this doesn't apply anymore and it is better to stay with physical books.

Hence, it's on you to decide what is best for you. Think about what is more convenient for you. Maybe you don't have a charity shop near you, so it's better to order a used book online. Or you only read occasionally and don't want to physically own books, then an e-book might be the better option.

This only shows you how many different opportunities you have. Get your next favourite book, make yourself comfortable and read through the summer ;).