Books vs e-Books Calculator
Compare the environmental impact of reading physical books versus digital books. Calculate CO₂ emissions, tree equivalents, and make informed eco-friendly choices.
📱 E-Reader Setup
E-paper reader (Kindle, Kobo, etc.) - Lowest charging energy consumption
Carbon footprint: 168 kg CO₂
Average lifetime: 4 years
📚 Reading Habits
Average book: 7.46 kg CO₂ footprint
🌿 Environmental Impact
Enter your reading habits to see environmental impact comparison
Understanding the Environmental Impact
📚 Paper Books
Book: 7.46 kg CO₂
Magazine: 0.95 kg CO₂
Newspaper: 0.62 kg CO₂
Includes paper production, printing, transport, and disposal
📱 E-Readers
Kindle: 168 kg CO₂
Tablet: 130 kg CO₂
Smartphone: 55 kg CO₂
Includes manufacturing, mining, transport, and charging
🌳 Tree Impact
CO₂ Absorption: 21.8 kg/year
Equivalent: ~3 books per tree per year
One tree absorbs about 48 pounds of CO₂ annually
Making the Right Choice
Heavy Readers (3+ books/month)
E-readers become environmentally beneficial after reading ~23 books, typically within 8 months for heavy readers.
Occasional Readers (1-2 books/month)
May take 1-2 years to offset e-reader production, but long-term benefits are significant.
Rare Readers (<1 book/month)
Paper books or library borrowing might be more environmentally friendly.
Eco-Friendly Reading Tips
For Paper Book Lovers
- 📚Borrow from libraries instead of buying new
- 👥Join book clubs to share and exchange books
- 💝Donate or sell books you no longer need
- ♻️Buy used books from second-hand stores
For E-Reader Users
- 🔋Use renewable energy to charge your device
- 📱Keep your e-reader as long as possible
- 🌱Choose dedicated e-readers over tablets when possible
- 📖Read more to maximize environmental benefits