Can I recycle books?
- Share via
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
In an ideal world, books would be read and passed along for years. But that isn’t always the case. Some books get damaged and are unreadable. Los Angeles residents can recycle hardcover and softcover books, with or without jackets, as mixed paper in curbside blue bins.
It’s still best to resell or donate books in good (or even moderately good) condition. Most local charities, such as the Salvation Army, as well as thrift stores, youth groups, literacy centers, homeless shelters and -- as one reader kindly pointed out, libraries -- accept books. Organizations such as Bridge to Asia, a nonprofit that supplies donated books to Chinese universities, is also an option.
Because policies and recommendations can vary from city to city, each week we ask a sampling of officials from various municipalities to weigh in. Can you recycle hardcover and softcover books in ...
Arcadia: Yes
Burbank: Yes, with hardback spines removed
Glendale: Yes
Irvine: Yes, with hardback covers and spines removed
Long Beach: Yes, with hardback covers removed
Los Angeles: Yes
Manhattan Beach: Yes
Pasadena: Yes
Riverside: Yes
Santa Ana: Yes, if hardback covers and spines are removed
Santa Barbara: Yes
Santa Monica: Yes
Torrance: Yes
Unincorporated L.A.: Yes, if hardback spines and covers are removed
Ventura: Yes, if hardback covers are removed
West Hollywood: Yes
ALSO:
The archive: Can I Recycle ... ?
Trying to reduce junk mail at home
Kids’ party with no trash? That was the goal
-- Susan Carpenter