Do you really need a receipt with every little purchase you make?

Software Advice, an online consumer reports for point of sale systems recently hosted a poll to end paper receipts. They want to see consumers and retailers adopt electronic alternatives to traditional print receipts.

Why? For starters, it takes a lot of trees to produce paper receipts. According to some estimates, the figure is over 9 million annually. Not to mention, the amount of CO2 emitted by producing only one ton of receipt paper is equivalent to the amount of exhaust a car emits while driving for an entire year!

Over 200 voters participated in their poll. 89% said they support getting rid of paper receipts, 7% voted no, 3% are undecided and the leftover 1% said they don't care.

So what's keeping retailers and consumers from adopting electronic receipts? The main problem is inertia (or lack thereof). There are millions of consumers and retailers, and getting everyone to change their ways isn’t easy.

The bottom line is that the right solution, which will guarantee customers satisfaction, can be a win-win-win solution: Saving paper = Saving trees = Saving money.

To see a list of potential motivators and the poll results, head to: Please Kill the Paper Receipt.

You can also explore another idea that is implemented at Sainsbury's - two-sided receipts.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Why HP wants us to print more and more? Why it's a lose-lose offer?

Printing is a major money maker for HP - more printing equals more printers and ink sold. The printing division of HP, reports the New York Times, accounts for about a fifth of its revenue and a third of its profits.

HP is now introducing "a fleet of printers with Web access, their own e-mail addresses and touch screens. These products should open up new ways for people to print from Web services like Google Docs, and from smartphones and devices like the iPad from Apple."

I believe that this is a bad move for HP, a lose-lose strategy that is both bad for the environment and their business. Here's why:

1) Individuals and companies use less and less paper. And it looks like an irreversible trend.

According to figures provided by Paper Industry Association Council (PIAC), the supply of paper is declining since 2004. Just look at the figures (000 tons):

2004 - 101,884
2005 - 99,613
2006 - 100,665
2007 - 97,007
2008 - 89,838
2009 - 78,902

From 2004 to 2009 the supply of paper in the U.S. saw a 29% decline. Now, you can see that it didn't start with the latest recession, a good indicator that individuals and companies find printing more and more unnecessary even when economy thrives.

The reasons? Very simple: It's expensive to print given the user-friendly alternatives we have thanks to the progress of technology.

So the idea of HP is something like 'if you can't beat them, join them' - we'll look at technology as a platform for producing more print, not as an obstacle. But with all the respect to their new features, I doubt if any of this changes the basic assumptions: a) printing still costs more money than other options b) we really don't need to print that much as we used to.

2) Printing equals more waste and more carbon footprint.

As both individuals and companies are looking for further ways to reduce their waste and their carbon footprint (win-win - less expenses and less impact on the environment), HP's new offer looks a bit counterproductive with regards to these efforts and hence not too attractive.

HP tries to look as it is heading forward, but actually by encouraging individuals and companies to print more it moves backwards. I have no idea why the world's largest technology company, which is known for being so innovative, doesn't look for sustainable innovations that will generate not only income but also eco-friendly solutions.

In all I'm somewhat disappointed that a company like HP, which is considered a relatively green company, is taking such an approach. I understand printing makes them a lot of money, but they can do better - they developed advanced eco-friendly digital printing devices and they design data center, which uses rainwater collection and recycled materials to reduce energy demands, so they can definitely find better ways to generate income rather than just encourage us to print more.

Last but not least, I would encourage HP directors to look into the way JP Morgan is working to assist businesses to switch into paperless operations, saving these businesses a lot of money and creating a new source of revenues for JP Morgan. Win-Win? Definitely!

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

Green Book of the week: The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book by Monika Mira

We're getting ready for the World Oceans Day that will be celebrated tomorrow with a great book that helps making the identification of fish a fun experience for kids.

Our book is:

The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book

Author: Monika Mira

Monika Mira's passion for marine life conservation began nearly 15 years ago when she volunteered to identify fishes at the UH Sea Grant information desk at Hanauma Bay. At that time, she found that it was easier to learn to identify the fishes if she painted or illustrated them. These initial illustrations became the inspiration for The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book.

Since then, Monika has worked on numerous projects to help conserve Hawaii’s natural resources. Besides teaching marine science to grades 6-12, she has been part of a team that regularly assesses the health of Hawaiian Streams based on their biological integrity. She has been painting and drawing since she can remember. Her paintings and illustrations have appeared in newsletters, on T-shirts and on greeting cards both here in Hawaii and on the mainland. The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book offered her the perfect opportunity to combine her talents.

Publisher: Lucid Publishing

Published on: November 2009

What this book is about?
The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book includes over 200 colorable illustrations to help the reader learn to identify over 80 species of fish. Each illustration is accompanied by a complete description of the fish, including the scientific, common and Hawaiian names. Their anatomical features, coloration, body designs, feeding habits and reproductive strategies are also explained in a fully illustrated section devoted to these topics. In addition, an overview of coral reef ecology is provided to help the reader understand the relationship between the fishes and the coral reef and the importance of conservation.

What we think about it?
I went on Saturday to the beach (Rehoboth Beach in Delaware) and had the amazing experience of watching two beautiful whales swimming very close to the beach. It was not too difficult to recognize that these are whales (they're huge!), but when it comes to smaller fish, there's definitely a challenge to identify them. Then you need a guide such as the Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book.

And this is not a regular guide. The author does a great effort to keep it not only educational, but also fun. I like the whole idea of a coloring book and I think it makes the identification process much more interesting for kids (and their parents as well..) and get them to not only better understand the scientific information about the fish, but also appreciate the richness of the marine world.

This book is of course dedicated to the Hawaiian reef fish, but I think it would be a great book for kids who are curious to learn more about fish, even if they don't go for a vacation in Hawaii. The information in the book is very interesting and enlightening and there's also a useful glossary at the end of the book.

I also want to mention that this book is printed in the US on recycled paper (30% PCW) to better reflect the author and publisher's environmental philosophy.

Bottom Line: A great book to give your kids the next time you go to the beach!

Disclosure: We received a copy of this book from the author.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

Green printing tip no. 48: What is new in the Tree free Paper markets?

We are back today with a new tip on our weekly series of green printing tips, where we bring you information on green printing in collaboration with Greg Barber, an experienced eco-friendly printer.

Today Greg is discussing some great tree free paper options and it's amazing to see what a big variety of options is available. Just pick your favorite and go easy on new trees!

What is new in the Tree free Paper markets?

Tip #48

First, I will review the Tree Free papers for you. We stock the following:

1. Sugar Cane
2. Bamboo
3. Banana
4. Lemon
5. Coffee
6. Mango
7. Hemp
8. TerraSkin
9. Seed Paper

Most of the tree free papers made today are a combination of post-consumer waste and the plant chosen. Tree Free is used to specify no new tree fiber is used to make the new grades of paper.

For example, Sugar Cane is now mixed with Bamboo, at 25% Bamboo, and 25% Sugar Cane,
and 50% PCW. Hemp is 25% Hemp and 75% PCW. Banana, Lemon, Coffee, and Mango, all made in Costa Rica, are 10% plant, and 90% PCW. Last but not least, seed Paper is 100% PCW, and Wild Flower Seeds are hand inserted into the mix. Plant this paper, after using, and wild Flowers will grow. We offer these lines in text and cover weights.

Even 100% PCW is a tree free paper to me. No new trees are used to make 100% PCW paper. All of it is recycled, printed waste. ur 100% PCW lines come in natural, beige, green, kraft, tan and light gray, to name a few of the colors.We offer these lines in text and cover weights.

TerraSkin is different. There is no PCW fiber in TerraSkin - it is made of 80% rock mineral deposits and 20% polymer. TerraSkin uses the most renewable natural resources known to mankind. 60 million years of calcium carbonate, and mineral deposits, found in Limestone, at the bottom of the oceans, are used to make this tear resistant, and waterproof paper.

Terraskin uses the least amount of water to make this paper, and TerraSkin looks and prints like a dull coated paper. The mineral used, Calcium Carbonate, is found in numerous health products, including your toothpaste.

TerraSkin is now offered in pressure sensitive labels, on rolls. We have these rolls in several widths for letterpress, digital and flexo, roll printing. We are using TerraSkin to replace 100% plastic, poly labels. Also, terraSkin is available in flat sizes for commercial printing of
brochures, business cards, hang tags , pocket folders, etc.

Price wise, I list below the order of cost from low to highest price per pound.

1. 100% PCW
2. Bamboo & Sugar Cane
3. Hemp
4. TerraSkin
5-8: Coffee, Banana, Lemon and Mango
9. Seed Paper

Call me for samples.


For additional information, please visit www.gregbarberco.com and www.ecofriendlyprinter.com. You're also invited to contact Greg via email at greg@gregbarberco.com

You can find links to all the tips at http://www.ecolibris.net/greentips.asp

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: promoting green printing!

We have a winner on our giveaway of 'The Big Short'!

We had a giveaway following our review of Michael Lewis' new audiobook 'The Big Short' last week.

And we have a winner!

David Lawrence (@dlawrence0425 on twitter) is our winner! Congrats, David! You just won a great audiobook by Michael Lewis who was described by Malcolm Gladwell as "the finest storyteller of our generation." This audiobook is a gift of the publisher, Simon & Schuster Audio.

As we wrote last week, "The Big Short" is full of lessons. Not just for Wal-Street, but also for everyone occupied with global warming, as unfortunately the days of subprime planet are not over as Thomas Friedman predicted in 2008. The mix of short-term thinking, greed, herd mentality and avoiding critical thinking can be catastrophic and of course the question we all ask is how to avoid it. This audiobook is a good place to begin the search for answers.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

Can monetary incentives + local benefits generate a brighter future for independent bookstores?

"Publishing is changing fast, bookselling is changing fast" said Skip Prichard, Ingram CEO last week at BookExpo America in a 'A CEO Panel: The Value of a Book'. No one seem to be immune to these changes, especially not independent bookstores, which might look as the most vulnerable to the changes in the industry.

But are these changes just a risk or also opportunity for independent bookstores and how going green can make a difference for them? The answers are coming right away on our fourth part in a series on the green future of the book industry.

These are not easy times for independent bookstores. Earlier today The Working Waterfront reported that "Maine coast loses two independent bookstores". The article quotes Steve Fischer, executive director for the New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA), who estimated that some 10 percent of association bookstores have closed in the last year.

The article also mentions couple of the challenges independent bookstores are dealing with: "Big-box stores have muscled smaller stores out of the market-share, many publishers are starting to sell their books directly and online booksellers are taking an increasing chunk of the bookselling business." And there's of course also the small but growing market of ebooks.

So it's not surprise that independent bookstores are looking for improved or alternative business models that can help them meet today's and tomorrow's challenges. In BookExpo America, the American Booksellers Association (ABA) held a panel entitled 'The New Reality: Alternative Business Models for Independent Bookstores', which was described as follows:

A business model based on book sales alone is growing more challenging each year, but there are viable alternatives. Hear from a panel of innovative booksellers who are growing their businesses in directions beyond the book. From selling children's clothes and creating stores within stores to offering local delivery, indie booksellers are using their ingenuity and their roots in the community to find new and interesting ways to sustain their book sales.

So, is there an alternative model that is better than the others? is there any secret sauce that can make all the difference? I'm not sure, but I think the best shot for independent bookstores is to make a green bold move, or in other words: Go local. Yes, I know that independent bookstores are already an important part of local communities and economies, and there are many economic, environmental and social advantages to buy at local bookstores from a local perspective point of view.

For example, as IndieBound mentions on their website, if you spend $100 at a local, $68 of that stays in your community. Spend the same $100 at a national chain, and your community only sees $43. But apparently this is not enough to incentivize local residents to shop in their local independent bookstores. The market share of independent bookstores is only somewhere between 5%-15% (depends which data resource you're looking at).

I'm talking about taking a different approach, one that will provide customers with both personal benefits and the feeling that they're contributing to the prosperity of their own community. I'm talking about creating a collaboration with other local businesses that will enable these businesses to provide customers with discounts for each other.

For example, if I buy a book at the local bookstore, I will receive a one dollar discount coupon for every $10 purchase I make. Later on. I can use in other local businesses, like the local coffee shop, the local diner, florist, barber, etc. The same goes when I go to the other local stores and buy there something. This way I get two things: 1. A gift that worth money and will provide me with monetary benefit. 2. An opportunity to support my local community.

Why it is important to combine the two incentives? Because one cannot work without the other. Firstly, people care about the price of books. Just look at the data revealed on a 2010 Survey of Book Buying Behavior that was conducted by Verso Digital for ABA. From the slide below (no. 22 on Verso Digital presentation), you can clearly see how the monetary incentives are significant to buyers at independent bookstores:

But independent bookstores just can't compete solely on pricing. They'll almost never be the cheapest option. If a customer wants the cheapest option, she will just go to bookfinder.com and find one. Independent bookstores need an added value that will bring customers to their place and not to bookfinder.com and this is exactly the 'go local' factor I'm talking about. My belief is that although you can't see this factor on the slide people do care about their communities and understand the importance of living in a strong and thriving community.

At the same time, at a slow economy and with less money affordable to spend, it makes sense that it won't be the first or the second, or even the third factor in their decision making process. Therefore you need to combine the two - monetary incentive + local benefit.

How you do it exactly? Well, there are many platforms that can be used, from establishing a local currency system, such as Ithaca Hours, to collaborations with local business networks, such as one of BALLE's local networks.

I'm sure each bookstore can find the platform that can be the best fit for the local nature of its community. The important thing however is to find the right equilibrium between the two parts of the model to ensure it will have the highest possible beneficial value to local book lovers.

The last part on our series will be focused on authors and will be posted here next week.

Here are the articles we published so far in our series on the green future of the book industry:

Why should the book industry go green?

Can publishers build an effective green brand?

Is there a future for Barnes & Noble and Borders? Is it a green one?

You can find more resources on the future of bookstores on our website at www.ecolibris.net/bookstores_future.asp

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!

What's hot, flat and crowded?

The answer is simple: it's both our planet and the newest book we give for free on our green gift giveaway.

Yes, we're happy to add Hot, Flat, and Crowded 2.0 : Why We Need a Green Revolution - And How It Can Renew America by Thomas Friedman to our list of green books on our giveaway. So, now you can get a free copy of Hot, Flat and Crowded (release 2.0, paperback) by when you balance out 50 books by planting 50 trees with Eco-Libris.

And this is not the only book we offer as a free gift - we have some other great books you can choose from: Clean Body, Greening Your Small Business, Raw for Dessert, The Lazy Environmentalist and Sleeping Naked is Green.

All of these books are printed on recycled or FSC-certified paper and readers can choose from this list the book they would like to receive as a gift from us.

So what 'Hot, Flat and Crowded' is about?

In this brilliant, essential book, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Thomas L. Friedman speaks to America's urgent need for national renewal and explains how a green revolution can bring about both a sustainable environment and a sustainable America.

Friedman explains how global warming, rapidly growing populations, and the expansion of the world’s middle class through globalization have produced a dangerously unstable planet--one that is "hot, flat, and crowded." In this Release 2.0 edition, he also shows how the very habits that led us to ravage the natural world led to the meltdown of the financial markets and the Great Recession. The challenge of a sustainable way of life presents the United States with an opportunity not only to rebuild its economy, but to lead the world in radically innovating toward cleaner energy. And it could inspire Americans to something we haven't seen in a long time--nation-building in America--by summoning the intelligence, creativity, and concern for the common good that are our greatest national resources.

To learn more about the book see this video:



More details about our green gift giveaway and the other gifts we give to readers who balance out 25 books or more (gift cards for Strand Bookstore and BookSwim!) can be found on the campaign's page at http://www.ecolibris.net/gifts.asp

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Promoting sustainable reading!