Green Initiatives
 
Millions of books recycled
Thrift Books is committed to helping the environment through the reuse of books. Thank you for your help in that endeavor.

When Thrift Books was formed 7 years ago we found that millions of tons of used books were routinely being sent to landfills across the country. These were books that for the most part were still usable. Not only did this contribute to filling our landfills but it increased demand for new books and for the trees and paper required to print them. We saw an opportunity to step in and help consumers get the best prices on used books possible but help the environment at the same time. Global production in the pulp, paper and publishing sector is expected to increase by 77% from 1995 to 2020 but we hope we can lower those estimates through our extensive reuse and recycling efforts.

Thrift Books is proud that despite receiving hundreds of tons of books none of this paper ever makes it to a landfill. Hundreds of thousands of these books will be sold online to customers throughout the world, shipped in bulk internationally, or donated to one of our Non-Profit literacy partners. That material which we cannot use is sent directly to recycling plants where each ton of 100% post consumer copy paper (approximately 1.4 tons of books) saves 24 trees, 7000 gallons of water, 4100 kilowatts of electricity and 60 pounds of air pollution. Currently, Thrift Books recycles millions of pounds of books each year. These books are then turned into other useful products you may already have in your home such as cereal boxes, newspapers, and cardboard boxes.

Some of the ways Thrift Books helps the environment:
  • We ship out all our orders using a paperless system. Your invoice and shipping information is emailed to you at the time you order and again as it ships so we won’t have to use paper to print your invoice.
  • Our books ship inside 100% recyclable plastic bags. Unlike some plastic bags which are only partially recyclable, our bags are made from 100% recyclable plastic. Please consult your local recycling company as to the best way to recycle them. Most grocery stores will accept them when recycled with plastic grocery bags.
  • Thrift Books is recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a WasteWise Partner.


Thanks for supporting our business and for caring about the environment. We hope our efforts will make you proud to use us as your dedicated used book store. We want to inspire our customers to be loyal to us as we are loyal to helping our planet. Thanks!