When you write a book called Plastic-Free, and your publisher strives to create the book without any plastic materials, you might expect the book will be offered to the public without plastic. But expect the unexpected. Logic does not always prevail. I’ve received a couple of reports of my book being covered in plastic: one situation is truly unfortunate. The other situation is more understandable. Here’s what happened.
Plastic-Free shrink wrapped!
One of my Australian readers emailed me to say that my book had been delivered to the bookstore his mom manages completely shrink-wrapped in plastic. He even sent me a photo:
After a bit of freaking out (on my part) and research (on the part of his mom and my publisher), we learned that the Australian distributor had shrink wrapped all 80 copies after receiving them, in an effort to protect them from… what? Human hands? Obviously, they had not noticed the title of the book when they did this. But also, they didn’t stop to think that allowing customers to open and flip through books is how you market them–especially a book like Plastic-Free, which is full of color photos and beautiful design features. Anyway, the distributor has promised this will not happen again. And I just hope that bookstores that receive shrink-wrapped copies will remove the plastic and send it back to the distributor with a note explaining why before displaying the book for customers.
I also hope that they will not only send back the plastic from my book, but all books they receive shrink-wrapped in plastic. It’s a matter of values, actually. Is preventing a few fingerprints worth adding more single-use disposable plastic to the planet?
(And to those who worry about the carbon footprint of sending back packaging: to me, the little carbon generated to return unwanted packaging will be negated by the reduction in plastic packaging when companies get the message and stop producing so much plastic waste in the first place. But they won’t do it if we don’t let them know. And I think sending back packaging sends a more powerful statement than simply sending an email or writing a letter. But what do you think?)
Plastic Library Covers
I’ve also been getting emails from readers letting me know that libraries are covering my book in protective plastic sleeves.
After receiving a couple of these notices, I emailed my local Oakland librarian to find out a) if Oakland would be covering my book in plastic, and b) if there was any way to avoid it — perhaps a different kind of protective material could be used. Here’s her response:
I understand your concern and how ironic this is, but keep in mind that our books are handled by many, many different people. Libraries often even have to wipe down books that are returned with sticky covers – you would be amazed at how badly they are often treated. In the ecological scheme of things, we would be replacing our books much, much more often if they did not have protective mylar covers. I did talk this over with our processing folks, and cellulose simply does not work as well and is prohibitively expensive.
My thoughts? I do wish there were a more sustainable alternative than plastic to use to protect the books, but I also recognize that protecting the book so that it can be read by hundreds, if not thousands, of people will have a much lower ecological footprint than if each of those people were to purchase a book separately. I support libraries. In fact, in Plastic-Free, I champion borrowing, sharing, and renting over buying new stuff. It’s not just a way to reduce plastic consumption, but to reduce consumption in general. So while I’m not thrilled to have my book covered in plastic, and I expect to receive many more emails about it as people check out the book from the library, I can live with it.
What do you think? Have you heard of an alternative way for libraries to protect books that doesn’t involve plastic?
And if you encounter Plastic-Free wrapped in plastic–outside of a library–please contact me and let me know. I’ll get right on it!
Dear Terry and Readers. After just hearing a wonderful interview of you on NPR Radio, I thought of my friend who is quite eco-minded. She created a product - washable produce bags! They are wonderful to carry, wash and store your vegetables in. They are reusable, washable, come in may sizes, and are carried in a few of our local supermarkets. My local Safeway, has refused so far to switch from plastic bags to paper. I don't mean to use this forum in any way to sell her product. I just would like people from other states to know that Washable Produce bags exist and they are terrific! My sister from Ithaca, NY visited recently and insisted on taking some home! She plans to help my friend get them in stores in Ithaca. Please see WashableProduceBags.com .
I apologize in advance if I have offended or you feel this is not the appropriate venue. I just wanted fellow earth lovers to know that there is a great, easy alternative to plastic bags for fruits,vegetables, etc. which I find take up about half of my grocery orders. Sincerely,
Tory Tashian
Thanks for sharing this resource!
Latest blog post: What's Plastic Got to Do with Clean Air?
Please spread the idea to Asia, especially cities like Hong Kong, too many plastic here, very difficult to avoid. I'm reading your book with Kindle.
... the regulators...
I think it's absolutely miraculous that you prevented so much plastic and waste in the production of your book in the first place! So I know that your books shrink wrapped in plastic is part of your nightmare scenario, but it's neat to imagine all of your books that WEREN'T shrink wrapped because you insisted. My "NoPlastic.ca" supplier sends me most objects in plastic straight from the manufacturer, although he conscientiously packs in paper. It's going to take a bit for the world to stop thinking "it's only one little bit of plastic" and see the mountains composed of "one little bits" of plastic we are tossing. Bravo for pushing the envelope!]
Well handled! And I fully agree with the shipping packaging back to sender thing - we all ought to do a lot more of that.
Oy Vey! That's all I can think to say.
Heavy on the irony, this! But I like Susan's comment that it continues the conversation.
Hi Joshua Gardner. No one's picking on librarians, but it never hurts to think about whether there might be better alternatives. Also... the article is not just about a library covering the book in plastic (which is understandable) but a distributor also shrink wrapping every book in plastic. BTW, my husband is a librarian. :-)
All the people in the comments picking on libraries surprise me. No, obviously it's not the best solution and it would be best if, in the future, libraries didn't do this. But there are so many more important and bigger steps we can all take before we start picking on libraries and librarians.
I can imagine that this is frustrating and a tiny bit embarrassing for you Beth. Such a difficult dilemma this plasticized world we now live in. Know that you're making a HUGE impact in the best of ways with your book, your blog, and your message. Can't wait to get my grimy hands on a copy of your book ; )
oy!!
You're so inspiring, Beth.
Ironic and a little disappointing. But one step at a time, I guess.
If a book is completely dog eared and torn, it means it's being read. That sends the message to me that I NEED to read the book.
Libraries and books have survived for centuries without plastic binders. Tell the Oakland Library that I'll send them my copy if theirs becomes too dog eared. Or, they can add a sticker that says, "We realize that by adding this un-neccesary cover that we are adding to the problem of plastic pollution."
@InWomenWeTrust Yeah, like a disclaimer - the author and publisher did not do this - WE DID :)
Yup. I requested our library order a copy, which they did. And covered it in mylar. Irony. But I made the same analysis you did, and figured that if more people read it, the ripples can spread.
the positive thing about all of this is that it continues the conversation, reveals how embedded and widespread the problem is, and perhaps inspires innovation - willow glass, sugar, bamboo, sand.....