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Putting Books In Recycle Bin?

Discussion in 'Book Lovers' started by Rihana, Feb 18, 2021.

  1. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    The books are school and college textbooks, technical books, coffee-table books, some paperbacks, some manuals and some hardcover. A mix of adult, young adult and children's books.

    These are left over after exhausting all ways of giving them away or putting them to reuse. I have looked at all donation options and don't have the time to repurpose them for décor like this.

    They have to go in the recycle bin. That is decided. That was decided last spring when the pandemic started. The vaccine is out and the books are still in.

    I cannot bring myself to recycle them like this in a bin. I feel like all my past teachers, librarians, principals, friends with whom I exchanged books, are all shaking their heads in reprimand at my recycling plans and intentions.

    The best would be if someone recycles them without telling me but no one wants to take that risk. I admire that caution and don't blame them.

    Better-half tried reasoning that I was the one to take old newspaper and magazine to the kirana shop, get it weighed, spot any cheating in the weighing and come home proudly with the cash. I once also argued with the shopkeeper why the English newspaper fetched more than the regional language one. The kindly guy whom I had seen grow from an active young shop assistant to the pot-bellied and pleasantly languid owner, smiled and told me it was only because the English paper was larger in size.

    So, the question is, have you ever recycled books by putting them in the recycle bin? How to get this task done with minimal guilt?

    A wise person once said this about guilt, "You wear guilt like shackles on your feet, like a halo in reverse."
    .
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2021
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  2. Thoughtful

    Thoughtful Gold IL'ite

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    Why recycle bin. Why not a public library or a goodwill/salvation army?
     
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  3. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    The ones near me have stopped accepting books or are very particular about which genres they accept. The sorting or driving to far away locations is not worth my time. Any "Free books" post that does not allow picking & choosing gets no responses.
     
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  4. MalStrom

    MalStrom IL Hall of Fame

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    I have now switched to mostly buying on Kindle but back in the day I would regularly purge my book collection. The public library would get whatever it wanted, I would leave the rest out on the curb for any passerby to take and the leftovers would go straight into recycling.
    I didn’t hesitate because the books had served their job, to enlighten, entertain or educate and once that was done their task was finished.
    I still have several filled bookcases left.:tongueclosed:
     
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  5. Rihana

    Rihana Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    I knew I would get some ideas if I started a thread! "Served their job" and "their task was finished" reminded me of KonMari method. I am surprised I didn't think of that already... LOL.. kid is going to see amma talking to books, thanking each, saying a proper goodbye to mark the end of the relationship and releasing it without guilt. : ) And will wish even more fervently that teachers get the vaccine so school goes back to in-person. : )

    I have conquered bookcases and even managed to decorate them like in Pinterest pictures (hardly any books, lots of empty space and more used like a showcase with unexpected artifacts) but the nightstands draws are another story. Marie Kondo is right in her advice that when purging book collection, first gather books from all places into one place, don't purge each one separately.
     
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  6. Hopikrishnan

    Hopikrishnan Platinum IL'ite

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    Once upon a time, a friend had once of these planted right next to the mailbox.
    Homepage - Little Free Library
    [​IMG]
    The books did not seem to disappear; in fact, more books appeared in them. Some other guilty being was sneaking books into the free library. Perhaps "library" was a wrong name. Whatever you do, don't get one of these.

    There is also this:Books For Africa if you feel guilty enough to spend the mailing charge. US Postal service would/might give you their canvas bag to fill up and send books.
    Send Books By Mail
    BOOKS FOR AFRICA WAREHOUSE - GEORGIA
    1491 Cobb Industrial Drive, Bldg BMarietta, GA 30066

    [​IMG][​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  7. Flyhigher

    Flyhigher Gold IL'ite

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    Few years back I also have struggled like you to recycle few books which I picked from curb. I tried every places I knew then at last I used it pack items which I sell on eBay. :facepalm:
     
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  8. Thoughtful

    Thoughtful Gold IL'ite

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    Would hate to see books going to recycle bin, particularly school and college text books or anything educational.


    There are some places which pick up like veterans of america ( Donate Books with a Free Donation Pickup ). This might be most convenient for you. Also some after care places near you might be interested, if they take elementary kids. Also some places which conduct classes like art, robotics etc will find uses to keep the books for kids to read when they wait for their parents. Maybe you can call nearby.

    Did some googling for more ideas:

    23 Best Places to Donate Used Books (Online & Near You!)

    Hope at least some of your books find a good home!
     
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  9. hrastro

    hrastro Platinum IL'ite

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    I usually tell my friends who are moving or students leaving for college - call me before you call the kabadi wala - I will take whatever good books I want !!

    @Rihana, After my son's 10th std, I went through your dilemma ! I had to make space for the enormous number of 11th/12th books!
    He asked me to keep very few favourite ones.

    All his tinkles, amar chitra kathas, magic school bus series and Geronimo stiltons - they went to many younger cousins and friends kids
    Colouring books, dot-to-dot, Magic pot, colour pencils etc went to watchmen and various helpers kids.

    Those that were still left went to Kids libraries and schools.

    The person who sells textbooks at his school was happy to receive the old textbooks - the school supports a poor kids school and they had a policy to distribute it.... but they took only the school textbooks.

    So after posting in my student/parent groups about picking up any books they want, I still had many notebooks and education related books !

    So halfheartedly, with a lot of guilt, I finally called the kabadiwala ! What happened next was surprising!

    He weighed the papers and notebooks etc.

    Then he looked at the books, folded his hands and said "Madam would any of these be useful for 6th-9th students? I have 2 kids in 6th and 8th and my brother has 1 child in 9th std - they are in English medium schools, so I don't understand"

    I joyfully helped him segregate the education related books by class and found lots of question papers for practice and he left with them happily !

    This happens only in India!!

    Keeps Smiling
    HR
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2021
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  10. shravs3

    shravs3 IL Hall of Fame

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    Not sure if you have considered Half price books.
    I did sell them some books which were no longer needed. Ofcourse you don’t get even half the money you invested. But I was glad to see clutter free home!

    Or donating is the only option.
     
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