Harry Potter books help save forests

zoom

Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix: The Canadian edition is working magic to save ancient forests.

The approximately one million copies of the Canadian edition are the only ones in the world to be printed on 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper.

The initiative won praise from the author, J.K. Rowling, and a special message for Canadian readers:

"The forest at Hogwarts is home to magical creatures like unicorns and centaurs. Because the Canadian editions are printed on Ancient-Forest Friendly paper, the Harry Potter books are helping to save magnificent forests in the Muggle world, forests that are home of magical animals such as Orangutans, Wolves and Bears. It's a good idea to respect ancient trees, especially if they have a temper like the Whomping Willow."

The ancient forest friendly paper is 100 percent post-consumer recycled and processed chlorine-free. Raincoast spokesperson, Tessa Vanderkop said:

"We're hoping the high profile of the Harry Potter books will raise awareness and help to get other publishers on board. That would help drive the paper cost down and make it more affordable."

Before the project began, no mills were sourcing recycled book paper in Canada. To print these books, Raincoast used Badger Paper Mills in Wisconsin. Raincoast is now also working with a Quebec mill, Cascades Inc., to print some of its autumn runs. Raincoast is now printing approximately 80 percent of its uncoated titles on ancient forest friendly papers and most of its office papers are also free of ancient forest fibre.

By printing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on 100 percent post-consumer, processed chlorine-free paper, Raincoast Books is making significant ecological savings. This includes:

For more information on the Ancient Forest Friendly Harry Potter or Who's Good Between the Covers in Canadian Literature visit www.marketsinitiative.org or http://www.raincoast.com/harrypotter/forest.html.