At a time when the ecological transition stands out as a priority, our reading habits are no exception to environmental considerations. Between the good old paper book, the electronic reader and the audiobook, what alternative makes it possible to quench your thirst for reading without (too) damaging the planet? We take stock.
In manufacturing: the largely losing reader
The manufacture of an electronic reader accuses a Carbon footprint much higher than that of a paper book. Despite the trees related to the publishing market, a standard novel of 300 pages emits between 1 and 3 kg of CO equivalent2while a reader generates between 170 and 230 kg of equivalent2 Only during its production phase, reports a study by Stockholm Royal Institute of Technology.
This difference is explained by several factors: the manufacture of an electronic device requires the extraction of rare metals (such as lithium for batteries or the tantalum for capacitors), an energy -consuming and polluting process. The manufacture of electronic components also requires the exploitation of fossil resources. Finally, we must add to this assembly and transport, which further weighs down the carbon footprint of the readers.
The ecological profitability threshold
At first glance, this gap seems to give a clear advantage in paper format. However, reality is a little more complex. If the reader is more energy -consuming at the time of its manufacture, its carbon footprint can be compensated according to its ecological profitability threshold. The more it is used to read, the more its environmental impact decreases. According to ADEME (agency of ecological transition), it is enough to read at least 10 pounds per year So that the reader becomes more environmentally advantageous than paper.
Based on an average lifespan of 5 years, it would be necessary to read around fifty pounds so that each additional work has a carbon footprint lower than that of its new paper equivalent.
The second hand
The calculation, on the other hand, does not take into account the reused paper books (loaned, bought used or borrowed). This practice considerably reduces the environmental impact of the paper format, by dividing its ecological bill. Thus, an used book generates on average 317 g of CO2, about 3.5 times less than a new book. In the event that a book is read by two people (new purchase then ready), the ecological rocking point between a reader and the paper format is doubled, going to 20 readings per year. Opt for Pocket formats Even more reduces the carbon footprint, since these editions require approximately 37 % of paper less than a classic book.
What about audio books in all of this?
Faced with classic books and ebooks, Audio books are an interesting alternative in traditional formats. Their ecological impact, however, depends on how they are exploited: streaming consumes data via the Internet with each listening compared to the download which only consumes once. According to a study of The Shift Projectenergy consumption linked to video or audio streaming represents an increasing part of world digital emissions. Nothing very surprising to that, when you know that Spotify has started bounded on the market, facing the Audible giant. If you listen to the same audio book in streaming several times, its impact can become significant.
You also have to take into account the size of the book. Quite logically, The longer a book, the higher his carbon footprint. The fact remains that when you listen to an audio book on your smartphone, you do not use a dedicated device. What limit its environmental impact compared to a dedicated reader.
A question of habits
According to the National Book Center (CNL), the French read on average 22 pounds per year. However, this figure reveals important disparities, since 31% read less than 5 pounds per year, while an equivalent proportion reads more than 20 pounds over the same period. In addition, certain types of works such as comics or manga lend themselves less well to digital or audio reading, which even more complicates the equation. To make an informed and environmental choice choice, you must therefore start by assessing your reading habits.
- If you devour more than 20 pounds per year, mainly purchased new and not reused, the reader becomes a relevant alternative on the ecological level. Same thing if you favor short novels or light digital formats.
- If you Buy your books on occasion or if you regularly borrow in the media library, the paper format retains a clear advantage.
- If your consumption remains moderate, the audio book can be a good alternative, provided you download your files, to avoid too much data sharing.
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