Don't Let Your Used Books Collect Dust - Donate or Sell Them Instead!

What do you do with your old books? I mean the books you’ve read cover to cover so many times, you could quote entire chapters in your sleep. What about those old textbooks from college? It can be easy to throw them in the garbage, but who would do that?

It may feel like print publishing is seeing its end, but in 2022, almost 800 million print books were sold in the US alone. But where do they go when we’re done with them? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, only about one-third of print books are recovered, while 0.4% of total solid waste in landfills come from those that aren’t recycled.

It won’t be wasteful to hold onto those past reads, but it can create clutter in your office. With spring already on our doorsteps, it might be time to clean out those bookshelves. Before you throw last summer’s reads to the curb, consider these eco-conscious options to clear up some space in your book nook.

Donate, Donate, Donate!

Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army are great places to donate used textbooks and annotated novels. If those stores aren’t nearby, look for local second-hand bookstores or consignment shops – you might get a couple bucks for your collection.

You can also see if libraries or schools in your area are accepting donations. Check to see what their regulations are for donating first. I’m not sure if your local elementary school would be too interested in advanced calculus textbooks, but it doesn’t hurt to double check!

Keep your eye out for any local postings for donations from restaurants, grocery stores, or other small businesses. You can also search for little libraries near you where you can take as many books as you give!

Sell Your Books Here!

One way to sell your books is by having a garage sale. Not only would this take those extra books off your hands, but it might free up some space in your closet or cupboard, too. Why deprive your neighbors of your taste in literature?

Of course, there’s always the option to sell them online. Websites like Amazon, Ebay, and Abebooks help you sell your old books in a secure and timely manner. Using social media sites like Facebook Marketplace or Instagram can also be great resources to sell or donate your past reads directly to friends and others in your community.

There are countless places for those dusty book covers to end up than the garbage or sitting on the shelf. Donating or selling your used books is a powerful contribution you can make to improve our communities and planet. Share the wealth of reading and make some room on your shelf, too!