Best Ways to Get Rid of Old Books
Most books have a second life. Before throwing anything away, consider whether the book has resale value, donation potential, or at minimum recyclable paper inside. The right path depends on quantity, condition, and how much time you want to spend.
Donate: Where to Drop Off Books
| Organization | What They Accept | How to Donate |
|---|---|---|
| Goodwill | Most gently used books | Drop off at any location |
| Salvation Army | Gently used books | Drop off or schedule pickup |
| Friends of the Library | Clean, sellable books | Drop off at library or sale events |
| Little Free Library | Any readable book | Place in neighborhood boxes |
| Habitat for Humanity ReStore | Home improvement books | Drop off at store |
| Prison book programs | Non-violent, educational books | Mail in (see Books to Prisoners) |
| Nursing homes / hospitals | Popular fiction, large print | Call ahead to confirm |
| Schools / teachers | Children's and educational | Contact school directly |
Sell Books for Cash
Textbooks, first editions, and popular nonfiction hold the most value. Check these options:
- Amazon Seller / AbeBooks — Best for specific titles buyers are searching for
- ThriftBooks / Powell's Books — Sell in bulk; they quote a price and send a shipping label
- Chegg / TextbookRush — Textbooks only; scan the ISBN for an instant quote
- Facebook Marketplace / OfferUp — Good for boxes of books sold locally by the lot
- Used book stores — Bring books in for store credit or cash; condition standards vary
Expect $0.25–$2 per book for common titles. First editions or out-of-print books can fetch much more through auction.
How to Recycle Books
Recycling books is a last resort — most paper inside is recyclable, but the binding isn't.
- Paperbacks: Most curbside paper recycling programs accept them whole
- Hardcovers: Remove the cover and spine (glue and board aren't recyclable), then recycle the loose pages
- Moldy or water-damaged books: Trash — mold contaminates paper recycling
Handling Large Estate Libraries
If you're clearing hundreds or thousands of books from an estate, a staged approach works best:
- Pull out any potentially valuable titles (look up ISBNs on AbeBooks to check value)
- Contact a used book dealer for a bulk buy offer on the remainder
- Arrange a Friends of the Library or thrift store donation for what's left
- Hire a junk removal company for unsellable, undonatable remainder — they'll often sort recyclables
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put books in the recycling bin?
Hardcover books cannot go directly in recycling because of the glue and binding. Remove the cover and spine first, then recycle the pages. Paperbacks can usually go in curbside paper recycling as-is.
What condition do donated books need to be in?
Most thrift stores and libraries accept gently used books — no mold, water damage, missing pages, or heavy highlighting. Library sales often have stricter standards than Goodwill.
Does Goodwill accept books?
Yes. Goodwill accepts books at most locations. They sell them in-store or by the pound. Drop them off at any donation center during business hours.
What do I do with textbooks?
Sell current-edition textbooks on Amazon, AbeBooks, or Chegg. Outdated editions have little resale value — donate to thrift stores or offer free on Facebook Marketplace.
How do I dispose of a large estate library of books?
Contact a used book dealer for a bulk buy, list on AbeBooks or eBay, or arrange a donation pickup with Friends of the Library. Junk removal companies handle the remainder if needed.