Harry Potter Gets Ecological

By Carmen 

AP’s Hillel Italie has more on a story circulating yesterday with regards to the next (and final) Harry Potter title, as Scholastic will join Bloomsbury and Raincoast in publishing HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS on ecologically friendly paper containing a minimum of 30% post-consumer waste (pcw) fiber. On Scholastic’s part, this news results from an agreement with the Rainforest Alliance, a conservation organization that works with the business community, on tightened environmental standards. “We applaud Scholastic’s progressive and bold commitment to support responsible forestry practices by buying FSC certified and recycled papers,” Liza Murphy, senior marketing manager in the Rainforest Alliance’s sustainable forestry program, said in a statement issued by Scholastic.

The news is welcomed by Greenpeace, who protested the previous Harry Potter book’s US publication saying that Scholastic was not using enough recycled paper and urged consumers to buy copies from the Canadian publisher. For this new volume, their attitude is different. “Many of the Harry Potter fans worldwide have been able to enjoy the books on FSC-certified paper, and it’s great news that Ms. Rowling’s American readers can enjoy the final installment of Harry Potter while playing a part in responsible forest management,” said Greenpeace forest campaign coordinator Scott Paul.