If you already own an iPad, Android-based phone, Blackberry, or Windows mobile phone, a new free app, Overdrive Media Console, lets you borrow e-books from a libraryhe he.  Get free e-books from your local library, but you may have to wait until others have finished their borrowing of a particular title.

Amazon Kindle

Amazon is now shipping their latest Kindle wireless reading device or ebook reader. A nice eco friendly or green way to buy and read books, newspapers, etc without cutting down trees.  Analysis has found it has less carbon emission that physical books when you’ve read 22.5 book with it.Pretty good battery life. Read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks.

Also available, a Kindle Application for the iPad or iPhone so you do not even have to buy a new device to read ebooks.

Cleantech group found:

“The roughly 168 kg of CO2 produced throughout the Kindle’s lifecycle is a clear winner against the potential savings: 1,074 kg of CO2 if replacing three books a month for four years; and up to 26,098 kg of CO2 when used to the fullest capacity of the Kindle DX. Less-frequent readers attracted by decreasing prices still can break even at 22.5 books over the life of the device,”

“production of a Kindle produces 168 kilograms of carbon dioxide compared to 7.46 kilograms for a book”

The EPA has shown that the paper industry is tied for 5th largest toxic release contributor. Only ahead of paper are Electric Utilities, Metal Mining, Primary Metals, Chemicals, and Hazardous waste.  Pretty shocking how innocent paper is so polluting. How can we move paper further down the list?

Industry needs to obviously push for more recycled papers, safe inks, and the like. Keep in mind that getting a holiday catalog in the mail consumes resources printing it, transporting it to your home, and even when recycling it.

Consumers can do their part by eliminating junk mail, reading newspapers, magazines, and books electronically, reducing mail volume through online bill pay and shareholder reporting, watching movies online instead of through the mail, buying only 100% recycled paper products. California has resources to help business reduce paper waste.