Scholastic Announces Environmental Paper Policy

Scholastic, the largest publisher and distributor of children’s books in the world, has joined several of its multinational peers in releasing a strong environmental policy with respect to their paper use. In addition to setting goals for reducing waste and using cleaner manufacturing processes, the policy commits to increasing Scholastic’s use of recycled paper to 25% and increasing the use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper to 30% by 2012.

“Paper consumption has significant impacts on standing forests, climate, biodiversity, and people. Scholastic’s leadership and environmental goals address many of these concerns and adds greatly to the growing change underway in the book industry,” said Tyson Miller, director of the Green Press Initiative. Scholastic’s policy sets the highest bar yet in the book sector in terms of their commitment to using FSC certified paper and this is key given FSC’s strength in protecting key Endangered Forests and the communities tied to them. Given that Scholastic publishes books and educational materials for children, their commitment is also an educational opportunity for future generations that will be reading their books.