I just can’t seem to shut up about my new iPad Mini. Clearly, I am totally taken with this technology. Thanks to my tablet I’m reading more. I’m catching up on blogs and checking out magazine articles and finishing actual books. I feel like I’m a hungry person, and my diet has just ended. I’m re-immersing myself in words. It’s wonderful, particularly as someone who writes for a living.
All of this time in front of the iPad raises a question, though – how green is it, exactly? I would assume that by reading e-books rather than paper books I’m saving the trees, which seems like a good thing. But it’s not that straightforward. Manufacturing a tablet has an environmental impact. So does packing it in a box and shipping it halfway around the world. So does plugging it in and charging it each night, and eventually disposing of it at the end of its life. When you compare a book with an e-book, you’re sort of comparing apples and oranges. You need to dig a little deeper.
Apparently the lifetime carbon footprint of an iPad 2 is 105kg. Undoubtedly the lifetime footprint of my mini is less. First of all, it’s smaller and therefore uses fewer materials. Second of all, power efficiency of most electronic devices is constantly improving. The carbon footprint of the first generation iPad was 130kg, as a case in point. But, for argument’s sake, let’s go with the 105kg number.
The production of a single book generates 7.5kg of carbon dioxide. This means that, if you’re buying new books, one tablet consumes as much carbon dioxide as 14 paper books. Other estimates say that you need to read 23 new books a year before the two are equivalent. Given that I’ve finished 10 e-books already, I’m definitely on my way to justifying my tablet. However, there are two mitigating factors to consider here:
- I likely would not be reading as many paper books, so it’s not a fair comparison.
- I would likely not be buying all of my paper books new from the bookstore.
On top of that, you need to consider factors beyond the carbon footprint of your reading material. For instance, what chemicals are used to manufacture it, and what are your fingers coming into contact with when you hold it? Apple is trying to be green in this regard. Its LCD display is mercury-free, and its display glass is arsenic-free. The device doesn’t contain brominated flame retardants or PVC. But that doesn’t mean that it’s completely free of any questionable chemicals. Books aren’t either, though. The ink used in printing releases volatile organic compounds. Chemicals are used in the production of paper, as well.
We also need to remember that many tablet users, like me, don’t just read books on their devices. They surf the internet, update social media, check email, and so on. More and more, instead of sitting down at a computer, we’re using some kind of portable device. From an energy standpoint, it’s better to use a smaller device than a bigger one. If we ditch clunky desktop computers for tablets, and we keep the tablets for several years, we’re probably coming out ahead. If, instead, we just add the iPad to our growing collection of electronic devices, and ditch it as soon as the next version comes along, that’s not so great.
The long and short of it is that my iPad Mini could be very green, depending on how I use it. But to be perfectly honest, I mostly just enjoy it. I like that I’m reading more, so even if I can’t directly calculate the impact on my carbon footprint, I can see the impact on my lifestyle. And I can see that if, for instance, I start shifting more of my reading to the tablet that I already own, I can maximize the positive benefits for the environment. Call it justification, but the thought makes me happy.
Does the environmental impact of reading a book vs. reading an e-book sway your decision? And do you think that a tablet is actually the greener way to go? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Twitter: tjrossignol
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Great assessment Amber. I’ve had my reader sized tablet for a year and a half now. I continue to read more than I did before I got the tablet. But I also go to the library less – so great that you noted that not all paper books we were are new.
I also love the lifestyle it brings me. I use it all the time to read, take notes at meetings, manage my calendar/to do lists, play games and keep my little person entertained on long car rides. It means I no longer carry a note book/day timer. All things that are backed up in the cloud so I can never really lose anything if I lose the device. So I probably couldn’t go back to not having one either way.
It really is apples and oranges as you note. A lot of things are being done to make our books greener (Margaret Atwood’s new book is even printed on paper made from straw). And a lot of things are being done to make tablets greener. It really does come down to how we use our stuff that counts.
Twitter: AmberStrocel
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Paper made from straw? I’m intrigued!
Twitter: Downes_Cook
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Hi Amber nice summary and interesting points I’d never really considered.
It actually got me thinking and was wondering if during your research you came across anything detailing the disposal cost of a Tablet. I would guess that what you do with it once you are done with it, be it either broken or upgrading, will have a larger impact on the environment than either its manufacture or your use of it. If you just throw it away and it ends up in a landfill there is not much in a tablet that is degradable and what can be dissolved in water is not going to be very nice for the surrounding area.
Suppose the best option would be to pass it on to someone else to use maybe an elder or young relative or even a local school. Then when it does finally die take it or get it collected by a certified electrical recycling company. They can not only dispose of it in a more environmentally friendly way but also harvest the rare earth metals. Not only environmentally friendly but also more sustainable.
Thanks for this piece without which I’d never of bothered to think about the above.
Twitter: AmberStrocel
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For sure, disposal is part of it, and as with all e-waste it’s important that it goes to a recycling facility. But the same thing is true of books. Unfortunately, still, many of them end up in landfills, where they release methane which is a potent greenhouse gas. So, once again, making sure it ends up in the right place is an issue for either a tablet or a paper book.
However, having said that, manufacture is actually generally more impactful. You have to consider that materials are being mined, processed and shipped. There’s waste in that process, as well as many chemicals being used along with a whole lot of energy. And much of that is happening in countries without stringent environmental standards, so less care is being taken.
Twitter: GreenSAHM
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Some good thoughts. Most of my books come from the used book store, so that kind of calculation would be difficult for me too. My iPad2 didn’t replace anything, but I didn’t buy it either – I won it from a company I work with. Still, the kids love it. I mostly still stick to my laptop.
Stephanie’s last post … Why Should We Be Eco Friendly?
Twitter: AmberStrocel
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I still use my laptop for serious writing. I couldn’t see typing out a 600 word (or more!) blog post on my iPad. But for social media and reading other people’s blogs, it’s just perfect. I’m really resisting letting my kids near it. I’m convinced that if I do, I’ll never get it back, so it has no games on it AT ALL.
I meant to recommend two books by Joseph Boyden: Through Black Spruce and Three Day Road. I feel that both should be mandatory reading for Canadians. They address issues of first nations history and current state of affairs. I thought that I wouldn’t like either book but they have made more of a lasting impact on me than anything else my book club has read over our 11 years of meetings:) Also for a fun, easy, quirky read try “The Family Fang” which I am loving now.
Twitter: AmberStrocel
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Thanks for the recommendations!
Twitter: christyrollo
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Thanks for this! I have often wondered about tablets and their impact – as I am lying in bed on my iPad. Another thing to consider is that most people charge their devices at night because we don’t need them while we sleep. However, experts say to charge in the afternoon or early evening, or perhaps another time when we don’t need them. We leave them plugged in well after they are finished charging and then they still draw power.
Twitter: AmberStrocel
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That’s a good tip! Another one is to unplug the charger when it’s not in use, because it will still draw some small amount of power otherwise.
Twitter: Nicole013
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We’ve been on ebook readers for quite awhile. We have a good many e-books on our home system.
A couple of years ago I got a Samsung Galaxy Tab which I love so much I wish I could marry it. I read books the way other people breathe. Combine that with the cost of paper books and my inability to ever return a book to the library on time, and it ends up being a very expensive proposition.
Add to that a bluetooth keyboard (with stand) and I almost don’t need a laptop. Except for those pesky word and excel files. Although they kind of work on the tab, its not quite the same (or as intuitive). When I got my new ultrabook, my old laptop went to the Centre for Community Living where they always need computers for their clients (and give you a tax receipt too!).
Nicole’s last post … I just tried to write a real post
Twitter: AmberStrocel
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Ooh, that’s a good idea on the Centre for Community Living. I’ll definitely keep that in mind when my laptop is ready to move on.
Twitter: fuoriborgo
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interesting topic. i’m an aspiring e-reader (i don’t read anymore because we don’t have space for more books in the house, and no public libraries) saving up for some kind of device, adn I never considered the environmental impact.
Francesca’s last post … making gnocchi
Twitter: AmberStrocel
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I wasn’t sure how much I would use my tablet, but I’m a convert. I hope you get your e-reader soon!