The future of newspapers is here.

For some readers, ink-stained fingers and bulky, messy papers will become a thing of the past, replaced by digital e-Papers that can be rolled up and shoved into back pockets. Since El Pais launched the first e-Paper earlier this year, several newspapers are joining the next wave of information technology. Hearst Corporation in the US, Les Echos in France and the De Tijd newspaper in Belgium are planning to incorporate trials of the e-Papers later this year.

The technology employs energy-efficient ink sheets that have small capsules that appear either black or white depending on the electric current running through it. One such model is iLiad from iRex Technologies.

EPapers have the potential to cut down on paper waste sent into the environment and decrease newspapers’ production and delivery costs, which can account for up to 75 percent of expenses.