Greenzone Online

The concept of an e-book makes sense – you have the ability to read hundreds of books, magazines and newspapers on a digital reader, all while saving the more than 20 million trees that are cut down per year to produce books in the U.S.

But you are also using energy which is surely generated in a coal-fired plant, polluting the environment with toxins and chemicals. Not to mention that such energy is eating away at the ozone. Global-warming here we come.

Lets also not forget that you are investing in a piece of equipment that may someday end up in a landfill along with some of the other now-worthless junk you have tossed throughout the years.

But then we venture back to the whole paper saving issue, and the circle of thoughts leads us right back to square one: To e-book or not to e-book?

Paper reading definitely does create more greenhouse emissions than the e-book reader – about four times more – with newspapers being the biggest offender.

Then again, however, there is still the energy factor that runs hand-in-hand with an e-book device. But in a Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Two Book Options the study author, Greg Kozak, found an e-book reader created less total waste during its life span than printed boxes.

Of course, there is still the recycling issue. Many reading device producers, however, offer recycling services for the batteries used for the gadget and device itself once it is no longer of use. One example is the Amazon Kindle recycling program.

One more thing greenies worry about: The toxins that may be released into the air from the use of an e-book reader. It’s a question that still leaves room to be answered.

Another option for the e-book includes readers, such as the Adobe Digital Editions, that are available online. But, then again, there is still the issue of generating energy and toxins by use of a computer.

So, the question – a tricky one – is for you then: What are some of your thoughts on the e-book versus paper reading debate? Do you think one is better than the other?