Penguin Random House India marked World Environment Day on June 5 with the publication of a special book and a related environmental initiative. Swami Prem Parivartan, widely known as Peepal Baba, has planted more than 26 million trees across the country in a lifetime of environmental activism. This invaluable work is the subject of his new memoir, GHOSTS ON PEEPAL TREES: MY JOURNEY FROM FOLKTALES TO FORESTS. Penguin Random House, together with Peepal Baba and his nonprofit, Give Me Trees, planted 100 trees in a forest area in the Delhi National Capital Region to coincide with the book’s release. Penguin Random House has carried out a range of tree-planting and sustainability-focused initiatives in India over the years and continues to make its publishing operations more environmentally responsible.   

“As a publishing house, we are deeply aware of our relationship with paper and the responsibility that comes with it,” said Aditi Kumar, Executive Vice President People, Diversity and Corporate Responsibility at Penguin Random House India. “Our corporate responsibility initiatives are guided by the belief that sustainability must be reflected not only in the books we publish, but also in the choices we make as a business. This tree-planting initiative is part of our ongoing effort to give back to the environment in practical, measurable ways, while strengthening our long-term commitment to more responsible publishing.” 

Penguin Random House views sustainability as a core responsibility aligned with our mission to create books for everyone. As a part of this responsibility, we are committed to ensuring our company’s compliance with the EUDR by December 30, 2025.

To support this effort, we are working closely with our suppliers to ensure full compliance across our supply chain and have partnered with osapiens to enhance and streamline our due diligence process. Understanding the importance of compliance for our clients and customers, we are updating our systems and processes to ensure our products meet the high environmental standards of the regulation, including full traceability of paper sources.

Sustainability is central to our values. Through responsible sourcing and transparency, Penguin Random House aims to contribute to a more sustainable and deforestation-free future for the publishing industry.

NEW YORK, NY (2024)

On Thursday, May 30, 20 NYC-based Penguin Random House employees volunteered with the Madison Square Park Conservancy.  Volunteers engaged in some light physical activity and got in the weeds—both literally and figuratively—to plant hundreds of blooming plants in the park for visitors to enjoy. To learn more about Madison Square Park Conservancy, click here.

AUSTRALIA (2025)

Penguin Random House Australia & New Zealand opened their new warehouse to a 5–Star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. Equipped with solar panels, water catchment systems, and a range of other energy-saving initiatives, Penguin Random House Distribution was designed with the reduction of our environmental footprint in mind—ensuring the facility is fit for a greener future. 

CANADA (2025)

In support of Greater Toronto Area conservation efforts, Penguin Random House Canada employees from our Toronto office came together to plant over 425 trees and shrubs. In addition to increasing biodiversity in the area, these plants will help filter water in a nearby creek and draw in food—namely mosquitoes—for the endangered redside dace, a species of North American minnow.

We care deeply about the planet and creating a business that gives back to nature. In 2022 we partnered with One Tree Planted, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to global reforestation that plants trees to restore nature and biodiversity. Through this partnership, we plant a tree for every new PRH U.S. employee and commemorate work anniversaries with additional tree donations to help restore forests worldwide. In 2025 CEO Nihar Malaviya pledged an additional contribution on behalf of PRH, reinforcing our companywide commitment to environmental stewardship.

To learn more about One Tree Planted, click here.

MEXICO CITY (2024)

Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial employees and authors—alongside media personnel and influencers—volunteered with Reforestamos México in July to reforest 1.5 hectares of forest located approximately 150 kilometers outside of Mexico City. Together, 120 volunteers planted 1,200 trees, and members of the local community, with funds from Reforestamos México, supported our volunteers with a prepared meal.  

CANADA (2024)

Penguin Random House donated over 300,000 books as in-kind donations to charities and programs like First Book Canada, Book Clubs for Inmates, Save the Children, SickKids, and more in 2024. Most of these donations came from returns or overstock, contributing to our ongoing sustainability efforts by reducing waste and spreading the joy of reading by putting books in the hands of those in need. 

MEXICO (2024)

In a move to replace our current stock of wooden pallets, Penguin Random House has purchased 8,295 recycled plastic pallets for our Mexico distribution center since 2023. Wooden pallets have a lifespan of 3 months, which is almost considered single-use, and for every 10 wooden pallets made, one tree with a lifespan of 10-15 years is cut down. Our recycled plastic pallets, in contrast, have a lifespan of 8-10 years.