We’re always exploring new areas and are very supportive of the circular economy. In the last few years we’ve learned a lot more about paper production. Even though we’ve always been assured by how environmentally sound our suppliers are, we were prompted to investigate and scrutinise all of the variables when looking at sustainable paper, both with virgin fibre and recycled paper.
An independent, neutral study was commissioned to analyse carbon and environmental footprints of the main papers used by Penguin Random House UK, and the main recycled book papers on the market. The study thoroughly analysed all factors of paper production – from emissions to water, landfill, to factoring in carbon storage in recycled papers. The study concluded that even when factoring in the environmental benefits of recycled paper, due to the renewable energy used and the efficiency of their integrated mills, Holmen, who are our largest supplier of mono paper (only black ink used on the text paper), had the lowest carbon footprint. Holmen actually has the lowest carbon footprint out of all our papers.