Big News on the “Green” Front

Stuart Applebaum, Random House Inc. chief spokesman, comments, “Doing what is right for the environment is very important to our colleagues, many of whom have long urged Mr. Olson, and other senior Random House Inc. executives to take a more active pro-ecological stand regarding the recyclability of the paper that comprises our books,” he says. “Authors and readers also often look to Random House to lead the way in offering solutions to challenging publishing issues. As a financially successful company, we want to make a long-term investment in an environmental opportunity that will benefit all of us.”

Details of the Initiative

So, why 30 percent for the company’s new recycled-fiber use goal? The company says it based its decision on guidelines advocated by environmental organizations and on the company’s assessment of paper availability and capacity.

It plans to implement its goal in steps, with 10 percent of the company’s paper purchases next year containing recycled fiber. In 2008, that will jump to 15 percent, and in 2009, it will jump to 20 percent.

In 2007, the company also will purchase more coated paper (used for its glossy-stock titles, such as cookbooks or art books) that uses recycled content—upping its percentages to 5 percent for next year, and a minimum of 10 percent in 2008.

According to Random House Inc., the “great majority” of new titles and backlist reprints will contain recycled paper within four years—how much each title will contain will be left up to the company’s individual publishing groups.

“At Random House Inc. each of the publishing groups and their divisions have always had the final determination of the paper selection and design for each of their books, working in collaboration with the publishing operations and their production staff. That decision-making very much continues unchanged with our new paper policy,” says Applebaum.