Got some old books you need to get rid of? Perhaps your bedroom, bookshelf, and desk are getting cluttered, and it’s time to part ways with your used books. Read on as we discuss the importance of book recycling and how you can recycle books today.
All You Need To Know About Book Recycling
Despite the eruption of e-books and digital libraries in recent years, avid book readers still love the feel of hardcover books. And with the number of books already in stores, the need to recycle books will only grow.
Based on research conducted by Statista, we discovered that over 825 million books got sold in 2021, with 450,000 of those books being paperbacks. This meant that paperbacks were the dominant book forms in circulation.
As much as avid readers love the feel of a physical book in their hands, these books do wear out and, over time, can get torn or damaged. However, book lovers loathe the idea of throwing books out, and this is where book recycling comes in.
Why Should You Recycle Old Books?
To understand how important it is to recycle books, we refer you to the environmental factors surrounding using books. You see, it takes one tree to produce just 25 books, and the more books we produce, the more trees we cut down.
And the reverse is also the case because when we recycle books we no longer need, the number of virgin papers needed is reduced. In the end, the amount of trees that need to be cut down is reduced, and the environment is saved.
Also, books we no longer need can be what the next person is in search of. So, when you recycle books, you’re making them available to others who’ll enjoy these books while saving them the stress of searching through different stores and spending huge sums.
How to Recycle Old Books
Donate Your Books
The best and most common method of recycling books is to donate them. This is such a great method because it relieves you of the stress of finding a buyer for your old books. Also, it serves as a great help to regions and countries in dire need of books.
You can donate your used books to your community schools, libraries, charities, or to organizations like Free Little Library, which make books and novels available to readers who can’t afford them.
Trade Your Books
This is another excellent way to get used books off your shelf, and what’s even better is that you get some books in return! All you have to do is to host a book swap in places like your yard, coffee shops, thrift stores, and so on.
From there, you meet fellow book owners to swap with, and who knows, you might find a new book to fall in love with. Students can also use this method to get valuable textbooks from older colleagues.
Sell Your Books
There’s nothing wrong with making a few bucks off old books. You can set up a book sale where you offer gently-used books at a reduced price. Your customers get the books they need, and you get some extra bucks while disposing of your old books – a win-win for everyone!
