What to do with unwanted books?

Books are an integral part of our lives. They accompany us from a very young age - from bedtime stories read by our parents to school books to our favourite novels and cookbooks.

Sometimes, however, we come to the conclusion that we simply have too many of these books. What then to do with the books we no longer need?

Internet sales

This is one of the most popular and simplest solutions. Nowadays, there are many selling platforms through which we can easily find a new owner for our books. Selling is also a good way to get a budget to buy new titles.

Transfer to public institutions

If you are not interested in making a profit, you might consider donating the book to a public institution. Many libraries, community centres or schools may be interested in such a gift - especially if it is literature for children and young people. However, it is worth contacting the institution in question before you visit and making sure that they would be willing to accept such books.

Charity collections

If you like to get involved in helping others, you can look for charity collections that accept books. Such donations can go to charity auctions, the proceeds of which go to help those in need, or be donated to orphanages, hospices, single mother's homes and other institutions where they are needed.

Flea market

Many towns and cities have flea markets, which are attracting more and more participants every year. These are bazaars, usually held in open spaces, where unwanted items, including books, can be sold for a symbolic amount.

Bookcrossing

In recent years, so-called bookcrossing, which involves passing unwanted books from hand to hand, has become increasingly popular. They are left in public places such as café shelves, bookcases in libraries and community centres and open-air bookcases. Anyone who finds such a book can take it to read it and leave another in return - thus giving books a second life.

Recycling

If your books are no longer usable due to deterioration - it is worth recycling them. Soft-covered books can be disposed of in the special waste paper container or the blue paper container, provided that you remove non-paper elements such as bookmarks or ribbons. Hardcover books require the removal of the cover, which usually contains materials other than paper (e.g. leather, textiles). Such a cover should be disposed of in mixed waste and the rest of the book can be placed in the paper bin.