A Penticton-based recycling program has helped redirect more than 102,000 pounds of damaged or out-of-date books since the start of 2023.
After city officials noticed residents were "mistakenly placing books into their recycling carts," designated carts for said items were unveiled at the Penticton Public Library. Recycle BC does not accept hardcover or paperback books.
Over the 12 last months alone, 51,000 pounds of books have been redirected into the new bins.
"It鈥檚 encouraging to see how Penticton has embraced this program, which provides a convenient location to dispose of old or damaged books that are not suitable for donating,鈥� says David Kassian, the city's sustainability supervisor.
Around 102,000 pounds of books is the equivalent of 51 moose, Kassian added.
"It鈥檚 great to see there鈥檚 consistent demand for this program," he said.
The city's designated carts, the "Planet Earth Recycling" bins, can be found at the Penticton Public Library's lobby and the Campbell Mountain Landfill.
Its recycling program comes as Penticton looks to lower the community鈥檚 recycling contamination rate from 6 per cent to 5 per cent or lower by the end of 2025.
Residents are reminded that the damaged books they recycle will be destroyed, with the paper recycled. Books that are gently used, meanwhile, may be donated to the library, charities, and community organizations, the city said.
Penticton is also home to close to 20 "little libraries." Operating on a "take a book, leave a book" system, the mini structures are always accepting book donations.
Locations of the community-wide initiative, which started as a grassroots project in a Wisconsin town 15 years ago, can be found here.
