The Thrifty Apartment
Books have the power to transport us, stimulate our minds, and offer meaningful insights. While books hold value and significance in our lives, for many book lovers, letting go of cherished books can be a sentimental journey.
If you’re a book lover facing a stack of books to part with, there’s an environmentally responsible way to handle it. Here are 8 responsible and eco-friendly ways to recycle and repurpose your old reading materials.
Many libraries are willing to accept donated books. Some even have drop boxes for convenient drop-off.
Selling your old books not only helps you recycle the book and give it a new home, but it also allows you to make some extra cash. You can sell it online or through a local secondhand bookstore.
You might have noticed the “Little Free Library” in your area. This is a wonderful way for neighbors to exchange and trade their books easily.
Most thrift stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Value Village will gladly accept your used books. Donate them today, and these thrift stores will make sure these old books find a new home.
Many homeless shelters will gladly take your donated books. Homeless shelters frequently seek new books to provide to their residents. Contact your nearby homeless shelter and inquire if they could benefit from your donation.
Programs such as Operation Paperback help to send books directly to soldiers in the US military. Once enrolled in the program, you can explore their databases to locate recipients for your available books and access addresses of soldiers seeking reading materials.
If you have a large book collection (along with other items you’d like to get rid of), hosting a garage sale is a great way to offload your books. You can price them low, sell them in bulk, or give them away for free.
If you have beautiful books in certain colors and styles, you can decorate your home with these books. You can accentuate a coffee table, mantle, or an entryway table with books for a unique touch to your home decor.