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The article offers a look at strategies that can help reduce the environmental impact of the publishing sector. Each ton of postconsumer recycled freesheet that replaces a ton of virgin fiber saves 24 trees and reduces greenhouse gas emission by 37%. Another option is to reduce trim size, and evaluate the weight of the paper being used for each project to see if a lighter-weight paper would be suitable. It is best to print with vegetable-based inks that contain less than 5% volatile organic compounds (VOC).

The article investigates the potential use of composted recycled paper in treating plant diseases by researchers from Warwickshire, England. A research team led by Professor Ralph Noble has shown that composted recycled paper can cut plant disease by as much as 72 percent. Results from trials with conifers using compost made from paper waste indicate that it is providing similar disease suppressing effect as green compost made from plant waste. According to Professor Noble, suppression of plant diseases was particularly noticeable when the green and recycled paper composts were added to peat.

The author offers her opinion on the economic benefits of recycling for the publishing industry. Publishing is a resource- and energy-intensive business. Every dollar spent unnecessarily on energy is a dollar wasted. Therefore, while going to recycled paper is an essential first step toward mitigating our industry's environmental impact, real change will come only when book sales become nonreturnable.

The article reports on a study suggesting that 80 percent of book and magazine buyers would pay more if they were printed on recycled paper. The study was co-sponsored by the Green Press Initiative and was reported by GreenBiz.com. According to Tyson Miller of the Green Press Initiative, the most common hurdle to sale of such books are the higher prices for recycled and Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper.

Reports on the plan of Staples Inc. to triple the amount of recycled material in its paper products in the U.S. Elimination of paper products obtained from endangered forests; Disclosure of timetable for raising the recycled content; Prices for the recycled-content paper of the company.

This article focuses on the utilization of recycled paper by Advertising Age effective with its June 28, 1993 issue. The 40-pound recycled paper stock provides readers and advertisers with the same, previous high-quality production standards and meets current industry and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements for recycled paper. Though the paper will cost more to buy and mail, Advertising Age publisher Ed Erhardt said the investment will pay off in the long run. The move coincides with an Advertising Age-sponsored environmental conference on June 30, 1993 at the United Nations. Speakers at the conference, on Business & the Environment: Partnerships for Profit & sustainability, include executives from Procter & Gamble Co., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Coca-Cola Co.

Reports on the improved technology of making recycled papers as the concern for the environment escalates. Introduction of Hammermill Paper Company's Unity DP recycled paper; Made from old de-inked newspaper magazines and catalogs; Tests done on paper shade by Dr. Gregory Good of the Ohio State University College of Optometry; Release of Gillette Company's Stationery Products Group first recycled pen.