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Books
Accepted at 2 locations
Books are paper products made of groundwood and chemical pulp that can be recycled when not in usable condition.
Source: epa.gov : Nondurable Goods: Product-Specific Data | US EPA (1)
Books Summary
Accepted Locations

Break paperback and hardcover pages into 1/4" sections
Remove hardcover book covers before recycling
Remove plastic and metal bindings (including large binder clips, spirals, etc.)
Don't recycle hardcover books without removing the cover
Last updated on July 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Do not donate books that have gotten wet or show signs of mold or mildew
Last updated on July 2, 2026 by Green Star GM
About Books
What it is
Books, magazines, office papers, and other commercial printing are recyclable paper products with an overall recycling rate of 47.4 percent in 2018. Paper makes up 23 percent of municipal solid waste generated each year, more than any other material, and Americans recycled about 68 percent of the paper they used in 2018, with this recovered paper used to make new paper products, which saves trees and other natural resources.(1, 5)
How it’s recycled
Good-condition books should be donated prior to recycling whenever possible. Mixed paper, which includes books, is used by mills to produce paperboard and tissue, as a secondary fiber in the production of new paper, or as a raw material in non-paper products such as gypsum wallboard, chipboard, roofing felt, cellulose insulation, and molded pulp products such as egg cartons. Paper mills that process recovered paper are set up to remove common contaminants such as staples and paper clips from the pulped paper, so it is not necessary to remove such items before recycling.(3, 4, 5)
How to prepare it
If your books are not suitable for donation or resale, paperback books can be recycled as long as they are broken down into 1/4" thick or less sections; remove the cover from a hardcover book before recycling it and break the pages into 1/4" thick or less sections It is not necessary to remove staples and paper clips before recycling paper, although paper clips and binder clips can be removed and reused.(2, 4)
Common mistakes
Many people do not consider donating books prior to recycling. People often mistakenly try to recycle books that cannot be processed: wet or moldy books, and books with yellowed or brown pages should not be recycled. Paperback books can be recycled as-is, but for hardcover books the cover should be removed before recycling. Many programs require books to be broken down into 1/4" thick sections before they can be baled and shipped to recyclers.(2, 4)
Environmental impact
Recycling one ton of paper saves enough energy to power the average American home for six months, saves 7,000 gallons of water, saves 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by one metric ton of carbon equivalent. Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions that can contribute to climate change by avoiding methane emissions and reducing energy required for paper products.(4, 5)
Sources & additional reading
- Nondurable Goods: Product-Specific Data | US EPA epa.gov
- How Do I Recycle Common Recyclables | US EPA epa.gov
- Paper Grades and Collection | Paper Recycling | US EPA archive.epa.gov
- Frequent Questions | Paper Recycling | US EPA archive.epa.gov
- Basic Information Details | Paper Recycling | US EPA archive.epa.gov
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