Iowa City launches book donation and recycling program to promote sustainability
The Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation (ICPLFF) and the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center have launched a collaborative program in an effort to recycle books.
Books in good condition will be resold to benefit the library, while damaged ones will be recycled. The initiative promotes sustainability by reducing waste and supporting the ICPL and its ongoing community engagements.
“While recycling is beneficial, it is even better if we can reduce and reuse whenever possible,” said the Recycling Coordinator for Iowa City Public Works, Jane Wilch, in a news release. “Continuing to use quality books if they are intact is more impactful in reducing our climate footprint than recycling them. Making this program even more sustainable, we are thrilled that funds raised through this program can offer direct support to our local public library, a vital community resource.”
Donations can be made at designated locations across Iowa City, including the ICPL (123 S Linn St.) and the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center (3900 Hebl Ave. SW). Each site has different donation requirements.
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Public Library accepting books released within last 5 years
Donations will be accepted at the first-floor information desk anytime the Iowa City Public Library is open. A maximum of two boxes of books will be accepted without an appointment. Appointments can be made by calling the library or via email.
Acceptable donations include recently released books, but books released within the last five years are preferred. Most types of books, excluding encyclopedias and textbooks, are accepted, audiobooks on CD, and DVDs in the original case. The library will not accept donations of books that are moldy, wet, or infested with bugs, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, CDs, encyclopedias, or textbooks.
Donated books will be resold at The Book End bookstore on the second floor of the library or at one of the book sales throughout the year, with all the proceeds going to the library. The next book sale will be on Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17.
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Iowa City landfill offers a self-service book collector
The Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center also accepts donations through a self-service book collection located in the electronic recycling garage. A maximum of six boxes are allowed without an appointment. Appointments can be made by calling the landfill.
The landfill accepts all books, including encyclopedias and textbooks, audiobooks on CD, and DVDs in original casing. Moldy, wet, or bug-infested books will not be allowed, nor will VHS or cassette tapes.
Items in good condition will be shipped to Thriftbooks for resale, and all proceeds from the sale of these items directly benefit the Iowa City Public Library.
Where to donate
Iowa City Public Library
Location: 123 S Linn St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-356-5200 or development@ICPL.org
Website: icpl.org
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center
Location: 3900 Hebl Ave. SW, Iowa City
Contact: 319-356-5185
Hours: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed on Sunday
Website: icgov.org
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City Public Library and landfill collab to promote book recycling
