Good way to recycle books?

Is it possible to recycle books in another way besides tossing them in a bin? I hate to throw away books, but I’m moving soon and do not want the clutter. They might have to go in the trash if I don’t find a way to get rid of them. Oh … and I already checked the library – these are older books/novels, and they don’t just accept anything at the libraries anymore. Thanks for any suggestions!

If you have any other libraries (other than the one you checked), don’t give up on that one. I donated several boxes of outdated textbooks and other academic reading material to the university library when I left my last job…my library didn’t actually need those books BUT they were collecting books to help libraries in third-world countries build their collections (and some of the books were earmarked for replacing books lost following severe flooding at the Colorado State University library. I donated still more books a few years later to a drive to rebuild some of the academic libraries destroyed by hurricane Katrina.

One branch of my local library has “honor paperbacks”…several stacks devoted to older paperback novels (including romance novels) donated by patrons…these books aren’t cataloged and anyone can come in and take as many as they like with the stipulation that they return the books (or donate an equivalent number of replacements) at some point!

The “free books” strategy works too…professors often do this with older books they no longer need in their personal library…I can usually find at least one stack like this somewhere in the hallway and it usually disappears within a few days. I did something similar with about 500 paperback romance novels I had before I moved…big box on the curb with the word “Free”…within three days, the box (and everything in it) was gone.

Thrift shops are another good idea…I did this with even more paperback romance novels…but all the ones I found in Denver limited donations of paperbacks to two boxes…I had about 10 boxes so after I donated to a few different shops, I put the rest in the “free to good home” box.

Another possibility is one I hinted at in the first paragraph…libraries may be overcrowded in America but in MANY less-developed countries, they are hungry for books. For illustration purposes only, consider http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/books_bookaid.php …they collect used Christian books and provide them to bookstores in foreign countries that can’t afford to buy new books and sell them for a price the population can afford to pay. If you have any “self-help” books or other Christian reading material in your collection, you can probably find any number of churches in your area that would love to take them off your hands either for their own library or for a mission. When my mom passed away, we donated her entire collection of Christian books to her church…they used them to create a library for members (and guests) that, in 10 years, has grown to nearly 8,000 volumes!

Umbra Mini Recycled Polypropylene Waste Can, Black $5.99 You have to put your trash somewhere. Now you can choose something that’s as appealing to the eye as it is useful to the task….

Cotton Canvas Ecofriendly Tote Bag – Black $2.50 Support and protect the environment with biodegradable cotton Canvas Eco Bags. 100% Eco Friendly….

Ecobags Recycled Cotton Canvas Tote Bag $12.99 This ECOBags® 10 oz. recycled cotton canvas tote bag is manufactured with recycled cotton fibers. Generously sized; 19 (inches) wide x 15.5 high, with a full 7.5 bottom gusset and over-the-shoulder 22 inch straps for easy carrying. Double stiched on all seams for durability. Made in India under the Fair Trade Fair Labor Policy. The average plastic bag takes 125 years to degrade. There are over 10…

Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George (Jack Johnson) $8.58 Sing-a-longs and lullabies for the film Curious George! Curious George, Upside Down, Broken, People Watching, Wrong Turn, Talk of the Town, Jungle Gym, We’re Going to be Friends…

Recycled Recipes $4.25 2007 CD EP from the American singer/songwriter now signed to the Lost Highway label. Features six tracks: ‘Wondering Where The Lions Are’, ‘Theologians’, ‘Such A Night’, ‘Fortunate Son’, ‘It Makes No Difference’ and ‘Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright’. Mercury….

Recycle Or Die $5.89 …

Get Real Zipper Pouch Dick & Jane …

Dr. Seuss the Lorax Kids Small Eco Recycled Shopper Tote Book Bag Kid Sized ! Make shopping more fun with this super-cute Dr. Seuss recycled tote bag. Features the Lorax on the front and the saying: “I speak for the trees! Let them grow! Let them grow!” on the back. This fun little shopper is perfect for toting books, trips to the beach, or helping mom with the shopping….

Curious George Goes Green $6.19 Stills from Curious George Goes Green (Click for larger image) Printable Curious George Coloring Pages (Click for full size) Printable Curious George Connect-the-Dots Pages (Click for full size) …

Schoolhouse Rock: Earth $3.00 SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK EARTH – DVD Movie…