Recycle & Reuse Books

Have books you no longer need? The ReCollective collects new and gently used books for community reuse, giving them a chance to inspire other readers.

Books collected for reuse through The ReCollective

Give Your Books Another Chapter

Books in good condition can find new readers through our local community partners. Donating them helps keep useful books in circulation.

Books are collected during designated ReCo Pick months. Place accepted books in your ReCo Pick Bag during the featured collection month.

Books are also accepted through our Almost Anything Mailback Bag program.

What Books Can I Recycle or Donate?

We accept new books and used books in acceptable or better condition, with covers and bindings intact.

Accepted Books

  • New books
  • Used books in acceptable or better condition
  • Hardcover books
  • Softcover books

Do Not Include

  • Books missing intact covers or bindings
  • Books with mold, water, smoke, or other damage
  • Encyclopedias
  • Magazines or periodicals
Simple rule: If the book is in good, reusable condition with an intact cover and binding, it is generally suitable for this collection.

How Book Collection Works

Books are part of ReCo Pick, our rotating collection of reusable and hard-to-recycle materials.

Save Your Books

Set aside new books and books in good condition until the designated book collection month.

Use Your ReCo Pick Bag

Place accepted books in your ReCo Pick Bag during the featured month for your scheduled doorstep pickup.

We Sort for Reuse

Books return to our Durham warehouse, where we sort them and share them with local community partners.

The ReCollective warehouse in Durham, where collected books are sorted

What Happens to Collected Books?

Your books return to our Durham, NC warehouse, where they are sorted into categories and distributed to community partners to find new readers.

Our book reuse partners include:

The Scrap Exchange Friends of the Durham Library NC Women’s Prison Books

Book Recycling & Donation FAQs

Can I donate hardcover and paperback books?
Yes. We accept both hardcover and softcover books, as long as they are new or in acceptable or better condition.
Are damaged books or encyclopedias accepted?
No. Please leave out books with damaged covers or bindings, mold, water or smoke damage, encyclopedias, magazines, and periodicals.
Can I put books out at every pickup?
Books are collected during designated ReCo Pick months. Check the ReCo Pick calendar for the current schedule.
Can I recycle books by mail?
Yes. Accepted books are also eligible for our Almost Anything Mailback Bag, subject to its bag and shipping limits.
Where do the collected books go?
We sort books at our Durham warehouse, then send them to community reuse partners, including The Scrap Exchange, Friends of the Durham Library, and NC Women’s Prison Books.

Other Hard-to-Recycle Material Guides

CDs and DVDs Material guideCDs & DVDs Art and office supplies Material guideArt & Office Supplies Used kitchenware Material guideUsed Kitchenware Clothing hangers Material guideClothing Hangers

City Recycling Pages

City pageDurhamView local information City pageRaleighView local information City pageCaryView local information City pageChapel Hill & CarrboroView local information City pageGreensboroView Greensboro, Burlington & Mebane