World’s Largest Christian Publisher Continues To Address Environmental Needs of Customers

(Nashville, TN) Thomas Nelson, Inc. has announced that its Bible group is in the beginning stages of discontinuing the use of synthetic covers on their Bible products. Although the transition will begin immediately, due to production schedules, some products releasing in the coming months may still include these materials. Customers can expect to find significant eco-friendly Bible offerings in stores come early 2009. The move marks Thomas Nelson as the first Bible publisher to announce a complete transition to environmentally conscious Bible bindings and practices.

“As a publisher of Bibles for over 200 years, Thomas Nelson has always striven to bring Scripture into people’s lives while also addressing their evolving needs and concerns. We’re happy to be leading the way in providing environmentally friendly Bibles in keeping with the concerns of today’s consumers,” commented Wayne Hastings, Senior Vice President and Group Publisher for Thomas Nelson’s Bible Group. “In moving away from oil-based covers we’re not only honoring our customers’ needs, but we’re also honoring our Godly calling to be good stewards of the things He has given to us.”

Thomas Nelson will continue to offer Bibles in the bonded leather, leather, and hardcover formats; as well as seek out specialty papers, fabrics, and other options in keeping with eco-friendly practices. The company’s LeatherSoft binding will be included in the phase-out. Future reprints of Thomas Nelson Bible titles will also be affected by the change, as those currently featuring synthetic materials will be reproduced with “green” binding material. The company estimates that the total phase-out will be complete in the next three to five years.

“We’re taking a stand to make sure that all Bible products are eco-friendly,” said George Gower, Vice President of Inventory Management Production for Thomas Nelson. “All polyurethane/oil-based covers will be eliminated and replaced with recyclable and recycled materials. In fact, inside cover sheets and other selected types of Bible products that use materials from ecological fibers will go up to 100% recyclable with some offerings being 100% post-consumer.”

Thomas Nelson released the first Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified Bible in October 2007. The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible (ISBN: 9780718020101) production flowed through the FSC chain-of-custody from the FSC-certified forest, to a paper manufacturer, merchant, and finally printer who have FSC chain-of-custody certification. The Bible also contains recycled fiber.* Domtar, a paper manufacturer with a strong environmental commitment, developed the grade to meet Thomas Nelson’s demand. The first eco-friendly Bible was a meaningful step in a larger ”green” initiative at Thomas Nelson to reduce the company’s “carbon footprint.”
For information on Bible titles, including The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible, and other product offerings, visit www.thomasnelson.com or www.nelsonbibles.com.

*Note: The paper used contained 10% post-consumer recycled fiber due to the lightweight paper needs of the Bible.

Contacts:
Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications
tel: (615) 902-1109
lnobles@thomasnelson.com

Brenda Smotherman
Publicist, Bible and Reference
tel: (615) 902-2231
bsmotherman@thomasnelson.com

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 at 1:27 pm and is filed under Bibles and Reference, Corporate Releases, Press Release. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.