New Program from British Columbia Library Diverts 27,000 Pounds of Books

A new book recycling program at the Penticton Public Library in British Columbia, Canada has diverted thousands of pounds of books from landfills.

So far, a total of 27,600 pounds of damaged books have been placed into specialty bins. This new program, which began in February, looks to prevent damaged and out-of-date books from being dropped off in residential recycling carts.

The program was kickstarted after a Recycle BC audit discovered that damaged books were contaminating residential recycling. Recycle BC does not accept hardcover or paperback books.

Now, those thousands of pounds of books that are placed in specialty bins are taken to a processing center where the bindings are cut off and the paper is recycled.

The library is still encouraging residents to donate their books first, before opting to recycle them in the new, special bins.

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