To throw old books into the recycling bin?

[Dixie81]

I read a lot. Almost all the books I buy are secondhand and rarely cost more than £3. I try to buy ebooks as much as possible but often the used paperback version is cheaper. I only have a small house so theres a limit to how many books I can keep and I reached that limit long ago.

The problem is trying to get rid of books I no longer want. Charity shops around here won’t take them. I tried a few online buyers but it cost more in postage, packaging and petrol than the books were worth and was far too time-consuming to deal with. They also refused to take a lot of the books and only wanted certain ones. I found one of those ‘little free libraries’ but the lady running it said they were inundated with books and having to dispose of a huge amount themselves. So I decided to put them in the recycling bin since that’s where they’ll end up anyway.

I mentioned this to my partner last night and he said it was a terrible thing to do. He thinks it’s disgraceful to throw any book out and not make the effort to pass it on to someone. I explained that I can’t find anyone who wants them but he seemed to think I should try harder regardless of the time and money it takes. For context, these are mass-produced paperbacks so I don’t see how it matters but I’m curious to hear what others think.

What about a local community centre?

I did the same. Did a huge chuck out of paperbacks and some hard backs. Chazzas don't want them
Decided to view them as I would magazines.

I think generally less people read now .Therefore less demand from younger people .Really very few charity shops will accept paperbacks. and even hardbacks unless shiny and new!Just put in recycling .If he complains then tell him to disposenof them!

Hardback tend not to sell because they are heavy to carry home.

I have hundreds of books, and I'm going to take them to a charity 'superstore' as I've already checked that they will take them.
I'll pick out some in excellent condition and that are current, and they can go to a small charity shop.

I used to read everything on Kindle but recently decided I didn't want to add to Amazon's coffers unless I really need to. So now I buy from World of Books and then sell back to them - it's only pennies for some of them but doesn't cost postage. Or I use the library.

If charity shops don't want your books once you've read them you can donate them to a book bank.

Or there might be a shelf for books at your local station where you can leave them or even in your workplace.

But don't just bin them, that's so sad.

Is there a phone box book drop place near you?.I couldn't bring myself to throw a book away

Yes, mine go to Tesco. But we did take DH’s old programming books to the tip - cardboard section according to the staff. Out of date and no one wants them.

And you don't even have to go to a tip a lot of the time - there might be a book bank at a local supermarket. I've now seen the OP is in a rural area but she can always collect the books and take them when she goes to the supermarket or goes into town for some other reason.

Do you have a local library that you could use, instead of buying the books in the first place? I live rurally, but thankfully we managed to keep our library open here. I use it, so we don’t lose it. Thankfully, we also have old red telephone boxes that have been turned into book swap places. The supermarkets here also have shelves of books in varying condition with a collection box for contributions. We can put books in our recycling bins where I live, but I’m relieved that I’ve never had to, due to the other options available to me. I find it interesting to read older books & note how attitudes and all sorts of other things have changed, I don’t see that as a reason to consign a book to the recycling bin. Another thought that occurred to me is that they’d make good kindling, if you ever had trouble getting a bonfire started.

I do agree that old travel books are no use though - I would stick them in the recycling bin too! But if it's a paperback fiction or fairly topical non-fiction book, someone else will read it.

The local railway station takes them near me. You can bring some you don't want, and take some you do, if you like.

Recycling is fine but separate the pages from the non recyclable parts.

I have been known to buy a book from a charity shop for £1, read it and bring it back so they can sell it again.

Hospitals often have book stalls. Mental Health units in particular need books (and DVDs, jigsaws, art supplies).

All of my local Tesco superstores also have a Community Bookshelf for second hand books to be donated.

I decided a couple of years ago to get rid of my books. I had 1000s filling book cases all over the house. I only read e books now because I find it much easier on the eyes and wrists. I can't tell you how lovely it is to reclaim the space.

All those saying charity shops do want books, are you sure? I've taken books to many charity shops and they all say no. These are popular paperbacks in good condition, read once or not at all.

I looked at websites that buy them but honestly they would only buy the odd one and only for pennies. I value my time more. There's a village phone box someone put books in and a year later they were still there all damp.

I think people either don't read books or only ebooks now.

Try Anglo doorstep collection - they collect from your doorstep - book collection online - no hassle

It's fine to recycle them.

Your partner is wrong and he can't dictate to you what to do with your stuff. Paperbacks are easily come by, so easy in fact that charities and other places are inundated with them to the point they can't take them. If none are taking them in your area, then recycling is your responsible option. Paperbacks are not a lasting object.

I was going to say Anglo collections but someone beat me to it

Often buy from oxfam and leave the sticker on and give back to the same shop!!

also all the books libraries round here are desperate for books eg at train stations, phone boxes and at the supermarket (south london/ Surrey border)

OP’s partner would be appalled at how libraries dispose of unwanted books.

I stick books in the recycling bin all the time. Use a Stanley knife to get the covers off hardback ones. I’ve just chucked The Bridges of Madison County in, actually.

I was told not to put them in the recycling as they are not suitable due to the binding glue. I know of several artists that use old books in their art, a bit of googling might find you one near you. One I know can never get her hands on enough books!

Ask at your local station / pub / etc if you can set up a book swap or free library.

Blackheath has a wonderful free standing bookhut (see pic below) and I wish more parks & places had these.

I've also seen old telephone converted into Libraries. The disused phone boxes opposite Charing Cross station, often has free books.

As an avid reader, I love these places and have picked up some good books in the past. They stamp them with 'Not For Resale' to stop people cleaning out the library and flogging them to a bulk book place like World of Books.

Our local paper recycling collection will accept old magazines but not books.
The book recycling can only be done via those metal bins the council place in towns.

Your council might have a similar policy.

It is a shame to throw books out but you have little choice TBF. Your partner is being unreasonable.

OP do you work? My work has a little free library in the break-out room. It seems to manage itself quite well as nobody is bringing mountains of books but if you don't have one, could you start one with some of yours?

Can confirm there's a "free books" point at Herne Bay rail station 🌞

Our local CoOp store has a bookcase of 2nd hand books; a charity donation of 25p per paperback is suggested.