Going green can sometimes be costly, but at James Madison University, a new way of going green can save hundreds of dollars. They are called ebooks and they are simply online textbooks.

Sarah White, a JMU student, says ebooks are not offered in any of her classes, but she says if they were, she would be interested.

"I think it would be more cost effective and I think it would be easier to just have your books online instead of carrying your books in your backpack, because it gets pretty heavy," says White.

At the JMU bookstore, students can buy cards and get a receipt with the password to download the ebook. When comparing with traditional textbooks, a new textbook can cost about $40 to $60 more than an ebook.

However, White says there are more benefits to ebooks than just the price.

"I think it would be a great way to save paper and help the environment, since that's definitely a big issue," said White.

JMU Bookstore Director John Rheault says there are many benefits, but the concept is still new for many students.

He says, "It's nice to print the book. It saves on the trees and it saves on the wallet. It's a great idea but it’s in its infancy."

After the semester, ebooks cannot be sold back unlike new or used books. About 30 students are using the e-books this semester.