Recycling Books

In 2008/09 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough recycled 141 tonnes of books through recycling banks provided by charities.

What happens to them?

Once the banks are emptied the books are sorted according to quality. The majority of books are in reasonable condition and sent for sale in the hundreds of charity stores nation-wide. Books not in good condition are separated out. These will be recycled in a similar way to paper or turned into new products such as animal bedding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q) Can I put books in my recycling bin or box?

A) No. Books can't usually be recycled along with other paper recycling because of the glue that is used to bind them. Please take them to a recycling bank or a charity shop.

Q) Can I exchange or sell my books on-line?

A) Yes. You can use our Swap and Sell page or go to the Green Metropolis website, which is an on-line second hand book service.

Q) Isn’t driving to the recycling banks un-environmentally friendly?

A) It can be. To reduce travel and pollution, you should combine your trip with another errand such as shopping, rather than making a special journey.

Q) My books are old and out of date, can they be recycled?

A) Yes. If they cannot be sold and re-used they will go for recycling.