Book Recycling 

Did you know there are 60 libraries in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties! Each library has access to every book in the North Country Library System (NCLS), plus thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, and other online resources for FREE! While it varies from library to library, every $1 invested in a library is returned to the community 5 times. 

In partnership with NCLS, the Development Authority of the North Country has established a recycling program for excess book inventories to be recycled from local libraries. A book de-binding machine was purchased to help process the excess book inventory. Paperback books can be recycled immediately, while hardcover books are debound to remove the covers and recycle the pages. This effort allows the libraries to keep a fresh collection of books and gives them an avenue for sustainable disposal. To date, thousands of books have been recycled through this method. Most readers donated back to libraries by patrons are made available to the public through giveaways and book sale fundraisers before they are recycled, giving each book a chance at a new life. The great thing about book recycling is the paper eventually comes back as new books. 

Here are some ideas for how you can recycle your books:

• Donate books to the local library or charity
• Donate books to a book sale fundraiser 
• Trade & re-gift books with friends and families
• Selling used books online
• Repurpose books as art, decorations, or other creations
• Paperbacks can be recycled directly as paper
• Hardcovers can be recycled as paper after you remove the cover. Recycle the pages and toss out the covers   
• College textbooks can often be traded, resold, or gift to another student for the next semester
• Many transfer sites have a bin for hardcover books (call in advance) 
• Magazines, coloring books, and pamphlets can all be recycled as paper