The Hachette Book Group continues to be among the publishers most committed to protecting the environment. The publisher just released an update on how it has performed in meeting several environment objectives and announced some new goals for the 2017-2020 period.
In two areas where many publishers have active environment policies—use of certified paper and of recycled paper—HBG has hit its certified paper goal and recommitted itself to hitting its recycled paper target. HBG had hit its previous goal of having 90% of its paper be FSC (Forest Stewardship Certified) by 2015. It now aims to have 95% of its paper be either FSC or SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified in the 2017-2020 period.
HBG, like every other publisher, has found it difficult to meet its recycled fiber targets due to demand and price issues. HBG had looked to raise its use of recycled fiber from 3% in 2008 to 20% of its overall paper usage by 2016, but reached only 8.9%. The company said that despite the challenges, it will still push to increase its usage of recycle paper and maintains its 20% target for 2017-2020.
The company has also done well in reducing its carbon footprint. HBG cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% between 2008 and 2015, and is committed to an annual reduction goal of 2.5% for the 2017-2020 period.
In an initiative started in 2016, HBG began fiber testing to ensure its paper is being sourced from companies that comply with its environment policies. That includes ensuring that HBG “avoids using any controversial sources of paper fiber, and require our paper to be free of unacceptable sources as defined by FSC’s controlled wood standard.”
Other goals include minimizing waste, lowering total paper consumption, and reducing the number of books that end up in landfills. All these goals are overseen by an in-house environmental task force.
"Our new goals for 2017-2020 will keep us focused on continued improvement, with particular emphasis on production, paper sourcing, and energy efficiency in our facilities,” said CEO Michael Pietsch.
