The 3 R’s: Recycle & Reuse Books to Reduce the Carbon Footprint

The Friends of A. K. Smiley Public Library invite you to make a real impact in Redlands by donating your gently loved books to the Friends on Earth Day. Donated books are reused when they are purchased at the Friends Bookstore (located at the lower floor of the library). Monies raised fund for library programs and materials. Book donations will be accepted near the book drop off in the parking lot of A. K. Smiley Public Library and at the Redlands Community Center desk, between 10 and noon on Earth Day, April 22nd.

Reusing books reduces the carbon footprint. A 2012 study found: “The production of print books requires paper, which is manufactured by cutting down trees that are nature’s carbon sinks. The largest component in the carbon footprint of publishing…is forest carbon loss. The other major contributors to the carbon footprint of publishing are the emissions from the manufacture of paper in mills, emissions from the printing and binding of books, emissions from various activities at publishers’ offices and by retail sellers, and transportation emissions at different stages in the process.

Recycling a book at the end of its life could offset some of the carbon footprints of its production.” (Patra, 2022, “The Cost of Reading: The Book Industry’s Carbon Footprint”)

Let’s give books a second life, by donating them to Friends! While at A. K. Smiley Public Library, check out library books or purchase books at the Friends Bookstore. At the Redlands Community Center, we will celebrate the first year of the Little Library. Help keep the Little Library full by bringing in your donation and taking home a new favorite!

Extend your Earth Day Efforts: Visit www.akspl.org to see a list of books on climate change and watch a PowerPoint developed by Andy Green on the history of Earth Day. Continue to donate your books to the library to reduce carbon emissions and foster literacy in our community!

Goals: 

1. To raise awareness around book recycling and how it reduces your carbon footprint.

2. To promote Community Action through the Reuse and Recycling of Books

Climate impact project is addressing: 

1. Rising Carbon Emissions

2. Providing Educational Resources on Climate Change

3. Promoting Community Action through the Reuse and Recycling of Books

Instructions for participants: All are welcome to participate at either location.

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