Recycling Books

NJSBA’s Policy Department has sample policies that can help guide school boards when initiating a recycling program.

At the end of the school year in June, some schools may consider throwing away older-but-still-useable books. Before discarding older books, district officials might consider a free book fair: Setting the books on tables for students to select for summer reading. Many students come from homes that have few books or magazines, and the reading abilities of these students decline from lack of reading during the summer months.

Another recycling idea is a free book exchange. Some schools have had great success by having a stack of shelves filled with excess books, and featuring an exchange policy that allows a one-for-one swap, or two-for-one exchange, in order to build up the inventory. Some students or parents will replenish the shelves with many books, but take none. Book exchanges are sometimes operated by the parent-teacher organization or other adult volunteers.

For information on sample policies regarding book recycling programs, contact David Bosted, NJSBA policy consultant, at (609) 278-5267 or by email.

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