Terrier Books Brings Sustainability to the Shelves

At the Green Book Alliance, we believe that small, intentional actions can drive big change. When we received a message from Gladys Vallée, founder of Terrier Books, we knew her story was one we wanted to share.

Terrier Books is a new independent bookstore that opened its doors in December 2024 in Sooke, BC, on the unceded traditional territory of the T’Sou-ke First Nation. With a focus on environmental impact, circularity, and transparency, Terrier Books was built from the ground up with sustainability as a core principle.

Gladys describes the business simply:

“Terrier Books is an independent bookstore which sells books with an eco-conscious mindset. We carry books for all ages, and our goal is to provide people with affordable books that have a positive impact on the planet.”

Rethinking What a Bookstore Can Be

Terrier’s model is a practical take on sustainability.

They stock:

• Brand-new secondhand books

• Remaindered books (unsold publisher overstock with slight markings)

• A selection of new books printed in North America

  
  

All Terrier's products come from Canada. Gladys says they are careful in their distributor selection and get products based on their geographic location. They also inquire about the transportation and the environmental policies of the companies they work with.

Packaging and materials:

• Shipping boxes are made in North America and are Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified by the Rainforest Alliance.

• Packaging is minimal and only used where necessary, and can be reused or recycled.

• Paper tape is used to ship orders.

• Paper bags offered in store are made in North America using 100% recycled paper.

• Their bookmarks are printed in British Columbia, on 100% recycled paper.

• In-store Gift Cards are made of seed paper, and can be planted after use.

• Gift wrapping is made from kraft paper previously used as paper fillings from book deliveries.

Shipping and returns:

• They use Shopify Planet to make shipping carbon-neutral by funding innovative companies that pull carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere and store it. Right now, the money they give with each shipment goes to fund a mix of nature-based carbon removal and innovative solutions, such as direct air capture and mineralization & funds companies (more information here).

• Located in British Columbia, they ship orders only to Canada and the USA, to keep the shipping emissions as low as possible.

“We’re constantly learning and improving. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about staying committed and transparent,” Gladys says.

Changing the Way the Industry Works—One Practice at a Time

One of the most impactful choices Terrier Books has made is not returning unsold new books to publishers.

“If bookstores could order smaller quantities of a title, they could avoid having to return these unsold titles,” Gladys explains. “Returns are incredibly wasteful, not just for the planet, but for publishers and authors too.”

The Power of Conversation (and Education)

While the sustainability work behind Terrier Books might be invisible at first glance, customers are catching on.

"So far, I have had a lot of positive feedback from my initiative. But in my opinion, we don't have much of a choice. It needs to change. Other industries are already doing a lot more regarding sustainability and I feel like the book industry needs to catch up, especially in North America. We need to be more conscious about the impact that the book industry has on our planet and our environment."

That said, she noted that most customers aren't even aware of how the book industry works, or how and where books are made. She believes this stems from a general lack of transparency within the industry, where little information is shared with the public, or even with booksellers themselves. “I often have to ask a lot of questions to publishers, distributors, and companies just to understand how things are made and distributed,” she said, “and sometimes, I don’t get an answer at all.”

That’s part of what drives her: building a store that doesn’t just sell books, but helps educate readers about how the book industry impacts the environment.

“I’m definitely not an expert—I’m learning every day. But I always try to share what I know.”

Final Thoughts

Terrier's story is a reminder that sustainability in the book world starts with a few smart choices and the belief that this industry can do better.

We’re thrilled to spotlight Terrier Books as an example of real, grassroots leadership in the move toward a more sustainable publishing ecosystem.

Learn more about Terrier Books at terrierbooks.com

Want to share your sustainability story with the GBA community? We’re always looking to highlight projects from across the supply chain. Reach out to us anytime!