Is e-reading environmentally more sustainable than conventional reading? Evidence from a systematic literature review

With the increasing dominance of digital reading over traditional reading, gaining an understanding of the environmental impacts of the formats has become critical. This systematic literature review synthesizes and integrates the findings of studies comparing print reading with on-screen reading. The results reveal that the environmental impacts of printed and digital media depend on the usage rates and number of readers of both types of media as well as user behaviors and other parameters, and digital reading also has its own negative environmental impacts. Finally, research gaps are identified and a research agenda is proposed, including considering environmental performance in comparison studies, empirical investigations of actual user behaviors, and environmental savings for lending and sharing materials from libraries. This study aims to clear the misconception and change the popular stereotype that “e-reading is environmentally more sustainable than conventional reading,” and to provide stakeholders with more valuable information that is necessary to make environmentally informed decisions. •A systematic review comparing the environmental performance of printed and digital reading was conducted.•The findings reveal that both formats have pros and cons and should complement each other rather than substituting.•The popular stereotype of “environmentally preferable of e-reading” should be reconsidered.•Walking to visiting the library for materials circulation and public facilities usage may reduce the negative impacts.•It may be argued that green information services that are environmentally sustainable should be developed.