Recycling for Charity: old and unwanted books
This page lists charities and other organisations collecting old and unwanted books.
If any details are incorrect or you know of any other groups collecting them, please leave a comment below and I’ll update the listings.
- For ways to reuse and recycle the school textbooks instead, check out our post: “how can I reuse or recycle a load of old school textbooks?“
- For ways to reuse obsolete technical books (and the like), check out our post: “how can I reuse or recycle obsolete old books?
| Who | Why | Country | Contact details |
| READ International |
The charity collects old textbooks from schools via its 45 Book Projects across the UK and sends them out to East Africa. Books not suitable for sending will either be sold to raise money or recycled – no books go to landfill. |
UK | |
| Community H.E.A.R.T. |
The campaign’s aim is to set up school libraries in South Africa so children will have access to books they enjoy reading: story books, novels, information books, the sort of book you would give a child or young person for their birthday or their Christmas. They ask for 10p with each book too, to help with shipping costs. |
UK |
Read their guidelines to see the type of books they’re collecting |
| British Heart Foundation |
The BHF have specialist music and book stores throughout the country, which can make the most of specialist or obscure books. |
UK |
Or take donations directly to the shops in Brighton, Harrogate, Chelthenham, Clifton, Reading or Streatham |
- Find out how to recycle other things for charity with the Recycle This Recycling for Charity Directory
I have grade school and high school and college books. I want to give to some one that can use. Please when sending an e-mail please include the words old school books so I know its not spam. Thank you
pls. contact me on 07932749623 thanks.
old School books
Please, let me know if you still have those books, I will gladly take it off your hand.
My main email is: hershapsu@hotmail.com
Thank you
Hello there, I’m trying to track down somewhere that can donate our college some academic books (Business, I.T, accountancy and basic English)
Would be much appreciated to hear back from you, via email or you can call me, Rachael 02089056724
thank you :)
Disabled American Veterans, family & children’s services etc. Possibilities are endless, how about a community center? Look in your local phone book, if nothing else. And, most of these places will pick them up, at no charge to you.
I have bookd from 3 of my children’s uni courses:
Business and Marketing degree – Gloucesterhire
Maths and Management – Loughborough
Accounting & Finance – Oxford Brookes
Your post is a year old. Do you still want books? I live in the Bristol area.
old books
pls send ur used books to my school in nigeria for students in the library.p.o. box 81 nkwogwu mbaise imo state nigeria west africa
ATT: OLD SCHOOL BOOKS.
Dear Carly Jonson,
ave got your message over the web that you have used school books to give out. Am interested to have them to give to poor children . Am working with n.g.o ( pen for kids :-)Denmark as a regional reprecentative in Transmara Kenya. I hope to give details after replying .
Jno.
We have many classroom sets of books for English, Math, Social, Science, Business, etc. Would guess we have more than a pick-up load. They would be for grades 9-12. Would you be interested in having.
I have about 13 books on Psychology and the different aspects on the topic. I would love to be able to send them to a school or college for use. Please contact me if you are interested or want more information, please contact me at: hrbeaty@gmail.com
There are many ways to donate your used books for a good cause. Classroom libraries, schools, local libaries all need used books. I blogged about what we do with ours here http://muminbloom.blogspot.com/2009/08/frugal-friday-buying-used-books.html
I also use PaperBack Swap to trade in our used books for books needed by our Girl Scout troop such as guide books, etc.
The answer to the question as to what you can do with used school text books is……………… absolutely nothing usefull!
I have been searching and contacting poeple for months now – charities only want money, or new books – schools only want new books because the syllabusses change so often.
Its fruitless. I am going to end up going to the tip.
great news, i need old book for Africa so please contact me if you have any or have some tips for me.
I have many books from nursery to secondary school in very good condition and i would very much like to donate them to Africa. Please let me know if it is possible for arrangement to be made for the collection of them
@ Don, Thanks am in kent pls. contact m on 07932749623 to arrange collection. Thanks
I have 150plus book to give away
I live in south London
are u interested?
Would you be interested in secondary education books. Located in cardiff. Elin
Hi
I’ve just retired from teaching and want to pass on my (smallish)collection of maths books to you. I’m happy to pay the cost of postage if you can assure me they will be of some use. Most of them are only about 5 years old. They are all secondary school books.
Ann
Our school has a pile out old maths text books to get rid of are you still interested.
greetings,
well the simple answer to the previous comments is YES there are quite a few charitable avenues for your unwanted books. One is donate them to Book-Cycle a volunteer run charity that sends free relevant books to schools, orphanages and charities in developing countries as well as plants trees across Britain.
i volunteer in their Exeter branch and can pick up large amounts of books in the devon area. if you are further afield then maybe deliver them to Brighton book-cycle.
if you cannot get to either of these places easily then maybe you should start a book-cycle of your own. there are clear instructions on the website as to how to set up a free and exciting book-cycle in your local community.
ps,
we also take old(ish) text books.
there are also instructions on the website detailing how to send your books directly to some of the poorest areas in the world, for less than 60p per book.
such small offerings in some of these areas can have a massive positive impact and should not be overlooked.
kind regards,
Ant =)
Hi Ant,
I am having a clear out and have about thirty books on computing (mostly programming) that I would rather find a home for than throw away. I live in Torquay. Could you use them?
Regards,
Vanessa
Hi, wondering if you are interested in approx.300 varied secondary school English books. We are Teignmouth Commmunity School so not far from you. Most of the books are language text books and workbooks to GCSE.
Cheers
Hello, I am starting a business in french tuitions and would like to know if you have a few french books or anything in french.
Thanks for your help
celine
i want the books if u still have them we r somali comunity in southampton and we have liberary please contact me with my no 07958243399 and i dont know how far is you are town .
I’m always interested in rehoming old hard back books fact or fiction – I use them for art projects and also rebind them. I am based in the East Midlands. Please email me if you have any books I could rescue from you!
cjxn@hotmail.co.uk
Hello,
I have lots of books that need a good home if you want them. I live in the East Midlands and would welcome contact from you.
Dear jackie
4th Of Nov ,2011
I am running a school in Bangladesh . I could not effort to make a library for children from level Play to High school , And Children love English book . If we will get those that will use by warm heart , Even I am not able to do the cost of post . If your country will have any NPO or organization ,that they will be help to send ??? Or any other way ? Waiting for your reply .
Liakat Ali
I am collecting books for Africa, especiall from nursery to secondary school books, i will be greatful if you can advice me on how best to get them as i operate on a non profiting mission. Thanks
Juliana – we have lots of maths secondary books that we are getting rid of at our school if you want them – but where are you? I am near Manchester. Emma
Thanks Emma, i am in kent, pls. contact me eduhope@ymail.com
Hallo Emma could you call me on 07932749623 to discuss how i can collect them thanks.
I have two boxes of GCSE geography text books that were thrown out of my wife’s secondary school in Kent. If anyone wants them, I am happy to deliver them to anywhere in Kent or the London area. Regards Tom Shelley – email shelleys@shelleys.demon.co.uk
Hi
DR Shelley, I would love to give those precious books a home if you still have them. My email address is >hershapsu@hotmail.com. This is the email that i often check.
Thanks
Ayan
The school I have connections with are disposing of a large number of sets of French text books (from Year 7 to Year 11 levels i.e. up to GCSE) Many of them are brand new or barely used. If you are interested I can give you more details, but the numbers involved are considerable.
Please let me know if you are interested
Hi Caroline
I am interested, could you give me details.
Thanks
Hilda (07728995070)
Hi,
I’m a parent at Global Village Academy, my daughter is in the 1st grade, French immersion program. Her teacher, as well as the other french teachers are in great need of french books, workbooks, and one other teaching tools. We are the smallest village at the school, and have very limited resources-money to improve. The school has received grants for the mandarin and Spanish programs, so they have alot more supplies and resources. We would love anything available, and even the older workbooks would be put to great use, so far we make alot of photocopies for the student’s work. If needed I can give you my daughter’s teachers information if she needs to be contacted. I can pay for any shipping-Thank You! Amy Feddor
I can’t believe no one mentioned BookCrossing here?!
http://www.bookcrossing.com register and set free the books that aren’t your style, that are your style but you want to get readers, the ones you leave in adventure in a coffee shop, bus stop, on summer holiday, or give to a friend, or … whereever the books want to go. Books on shelves, unread, are wasted ammunition. :)
I am working with children in schools on making exciting sketchbooks and altered books and wondered if anyone had any unwanted books they would like to donate? I am in Wiltshire but can travel or pay delivery.
Please email j@woho.co.uk
We have many surplus French GCSE level textbooks and I don’t want to see them thrown out if someone can use them. Please get in touch with me if you are interested or know a way to get them recycled. Please put recycling books as the subject so I know it’s not spam.
Thanks
I am looking for edexcel textbook and teacher book especially. Could you advise on what books you have. Please reply to magaliwheeler@hotmail.co.uk. Merci.
Liz
If you still have those books, I know where they could better be used please contact me at this email> hershapsu@hotmail.com
Thanks
hello Ayen,
I have connections with a school (in Essex) which is disposing of large numbers of French text books. Many are brand new or nearly new. If you need more detail, please ask!
Caroline
Hi Liz,
Where are you and how many books do you have? What size are they (total dimensions and no.of pages approx.)
My email is j@woho.co.uk
hi i’ve got about 500 Maths texts mostly in very good condition. Theyre mainly for Edexcel AS and A2 units(P1,P2,P3,M1,M2 S1) but i’ve also about 100 for Edexcel CGSE. I’m in Northern Ireland but if anyone wants them or knows of anyone who could use them could they get in touch? thanks
dwilson463@aol.com
Hi,
I am travelling to east africa in mid August and i would like to have link with any charity/groups donating books whether old or new. In my travels there were many schools that had asked me about donation of books. Can someone please advise charitable groups that donate books.
Thanks
Wanted books of any type, please contact me on > hershapsu@hotmail.com.
My elderly friend has lots of good quality books to dispose of. He can’t get to a charity shop and wonders if someone would collect them. He lives in Bromley Kent. Can anyone suggest someone who will do this? Unfortunately I too am too infirm to help carry them to a charity shop.
Hi Evelyn,
I’ve been trying to collect quality books from in and around London.
The books will be sent to a small non-profit school set up in the remote, hilly areas of Breswana in Jammu and Kashmir, India.
It’s called Haji Public School and is set up by a friend of mine.
Here’s a link to the site: http://www.aminatrust.org/haji-public-school.html
There’s also a facebook page to keep everyone updated about the school’s performance: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Haji-Public-School/162076753802979
Please let me know if the books are still around and whether I can come around and collect it.
My email address is: anuradha.srinivasan@gmail.com
Thank you.
I have about 120 ‘theology’ books from my late father’s collection – Tyndall commentaries on the bible and similar – and am looking for a charity (local to Southampton so that I could drop them off ) which could make good use of them.
Thanks
Paul Winter
Dear Paul,
I hope that you are doing well. Merry Christmas to you and your entire family. My name is Francis and i live in Berkshire, i am planing to open up a resource centre in Uganda East Africa, where young people can come and read about a multitude of issues, and literatue about God`s word is so sweet for me.
However, i still need all sorts of books i don`t care how old they might be…i mean the condition they are in, and even the subject area because we have some few primary and secondary schools which i am linked to, in the rural areas of Uganda…which can make use of them.
NB: And if there is anyone who can help us out with linking us to those schools and colleges which are disposing of some of their un wanted scholarstic materials, books, etc…please just let me know by contacting me on this address below and arrange for a pick up.
My e-mail address is flutalo@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you so much and remain blessed.
Francis.
I will be opening a part of our companies website to help recycle items such as books rather than paper shredding them.
Send me an email from my site recycle4less.co.uk and I will look into this for you.
I need secondary school books…
Im a teach in a technical school in nigeria, scouting for books for the school. Really need your help. Im trying to build a library fro the school.
thanks
+2348037787031
I am clearing out my mothers house and she has so many books.I would like to give them away and not throw them.If anyone is interested please contact me. I am in Swanley Kent. Thanks
Our local pub has a book swap club but also lets you keep a book for a donation to the local air ambulance.
Im collecting books from primary to secondary level, i stay in africa..
Books are for schools in impoverished areas.
Contact me nowbola@live .com
with heading books.
And pls if u know anyone who has books please.
Hi, i teach in a technical high school in a town in nigeria. Im working there for a year as part of the national service.
Im sourcing book donations from all over for the school, its the only one in the area, and the school is impoverished with library and standard facilities. So please, i need every book donation i can get. For the school and others around.
Contact me on nowbola@live.com
heading is school books.
Hi all, the Book Bus delivers books to schools in Malawi and Zambia. It’s a great project because the book donations are backed up by an assisted reading programme. You can even volunteer to go out there and join in! Book Bus works mainly with primary schools and accept story books and colourful refernece books. The DK published books are very popular. See the website for more info or contact info@thebookbus.ogr
Book Bus contact correction: info@thebookbus.org
Unwanted books in the Northwest- Email me on lisa_bunny@hotmail.co.uk. I will collect. Thanks.
We live in the Harrogate area.
Having a clear-out! Lots of books, mostly fiction (best-sellers such as Catherine Cookson, Wilbur Smith, John Grisham, etc) to give to charity.
Anyone help?
Hi Tony,
As you may know, there are two excellent charity bookshops in Harrogate – Oxfam, near Betty’s on Montpellier Parade and British Heart Foundation near the station on Beulah St (which is my favourite charity shopping street in the world ;) ). I don’t know if either would collect – they might if there are enough books – but both would welcome your donations with open arms if you can get them to the shops.
Many thanks Louisa – I can get them to the shops.
I am trying to give away my old (graduated in engineering 1966) university text books. They are in very good condition and it seems a shame to send them to landfill. Anyone out there interested?
I am looking for advice and information regarding the collection, and re-distribution of unwanted books, journals etc to Ukraine. I am a British English Language teacher working here and there is a chronic shortage of textbooks etc at all levels, (Primary, Secondary, University, Professional).
I am, in collaboration with a local business man, setting up a series of free-to-use English Language Libraries across the country by creating a charitable organisation, (secondlifelibrary.org). Any help or advice would be welcome.
Andy Rudd
Hi,
I am currently scouting for books for my community secondary school in Nigeria. If anyone is willing to donate, please reach me on 07870285388 or my e-mail. Cheers
Do you need sets of French text books (Year 7 -11)? if so, please email me for more details. I am in Essex and am helping a local secondary school to dispose of a large number of such books which are in good condition and of realively recent publication. We would love them to go to Africa.##Caroline
Im helping a good freind clear some old books out, he is in a slight bit of poor health but is recovering and needing to clear space. There will be many books of all variaties. Will someone come to collect the books due to him not being able to drive?
Many thanks.
Hi,
I know i will be late with this reply but there is no harm in trying i believe.
Please i am interested if you still do have books.I need them for the use of the Charity.
Thank you.
Ashley, where abouts in the uk do the books need to be collected from. If it is a reasonable distance I can collect?
Lisa
Salisbury, Wiltshire.
In Salisbury, Wiltshire? Is that ok?
I am the founder of a school for the poor situated in Nazareth, ETHIOPIA – we are desperate for books for pupils from aged 3 – 14 – fiction / non fiction etc as well as any educational materials / books for teachers !! We have a contact in the UK ( Brighton ) who will be able to collect ! – would love to hear from anyone with books to give to a loving home
( British Charity Commission Number 1140681)
I am collecting all types of unwanted books for the community library of the Akwadum village in Ghana. I will be able to collect any thing within London. Please if you can help contact me – my email is roselilic@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you.
WE ARE IN NEED OF WHEELCHAIRS ,BICYCLES,TOOLS, BLIND EQUIPMENT , EDUCATIONAL BOOKS MY EMAIL IS HYDE.DESO@TALKTALK.NET FOOTBALL BOOTS , AND ANY THING TO HELP A DISABLED PERSON , WE SEND 40FT CONTAINERS OUT TO GHANA FULL OF SPECIAL ITEMS FOR THE CHILDREN AND PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED
WE HAVE A WAREHOUSE AT BILTING BUISNESS CENTRE ON THE A28 CANTERBURY ROAD BILTING ASHFORD , WE ARE IN NEED OF SUPPORT , AND WE DO NOT HAVE ANY TRANSPORT , IF YOU HAVE ANY FREE TIME AVAILABLE WE WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL ,
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE
I have rescued a load of old school text books (mostly biology and geography) from a school I used to work at. They are currently stored in my sisters garage and I want them to go to a good cause.
I have tried several mainstream charities, but none of them got around to collecting them. My sister is about to move house and I need to get rid of them as soon as possible. I really don’t want to dump them, it seems like such a waste.
If you can collect from Staines, they are all yours.
Many thanks
Katie
Hi Katie, my name is Luqman. I’m a teacher of a school in Kalimantan Tengah (central Borneo) Indonesia. We have a library with a shortage of books. Our school run out of budget to add book collection. Please, we need any used books especially in English language. We will be so grateful if you donate your used books to our school so my students can expand their knowledge.
Hello Katie,
I am interested in your ad. I work for a charity OGASUK and I am collecting books for a school in Cameroon link below
http://www.holycrossinternationalcollege.com/site/photos
If you stil have them please get back to me.
Ann
hello Ann
I have approx. 500 new copies of my latest children’s book ‘March of the Autumn Spiders’ packed and ready to go if you want them for Cameroon. Age group 8 -adult. They would need to be collected from Bristol. Barbara
barbaraperez_42@hotmail.com
hi,
My daughter has returned from uni with 3 textbooks on biomedical science for the degree in that subject she had started.
Anyone who is willing to pick up or pay postage is welcome to them for free.
Or does anyone know of a local charity that would be glad of them
thks.
I was left with a heap of books after graduating, ebay helped me pass on the books to new students and filled my pockets slightly :)
I am Adnan Palijo student of Civil Engineering, I have started a project to Donate books to the poor needy children of remote areas of Sindh, Pakistan. I want books from grade 1 to 8 class.. It can be any book.
please collect and send these books on this Address: A-1704 phase-1, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Karachi. Sindh, Pakistan.
cell# +923213194004
I need books for a nursery and primary school in Nigeria. The school doesnt have a library and about 70% of the kids have reading problems due to lack of books. Please let me know if you have any old books that could be of help. Dont worry about the shiiping cost, I am in London and can easily ship them from here. Thanks
Greetings
I am collecting both used and new books for Zimbabwe’s children at primary, secondary and university levels. There is a dire shortage of books and I would love to make contact with anyone with access to books to donate, e.g. schools, universities, colleges, publishers or individuals.I am looking for educational books and both good fiction and non fiction books.The books will be given to various school libraries. I am hoping to eventually set up community libraries in the future.
I am able to collect from any part of the UK and my contact details are:
mobile number:07728995070
email:hiltz500@yahoo.co.uk
Many thanks
Hilda
Hi.
I have got around 150 different books (NEW) relating to Further Education.
ESOL Skills for life, with cd’s and teacher’s books. from E1 – L2
First Aid,
Early Years, etc.
Would love to give them for good use.
If interested please get in touch at 07590566441
Thanks, Rodrigo
Ladies and Gents,
I am an african train teacher, leaving in the UK, proud and humble to help sponsor a secondary school back in africa, my sponsor ,help and support goes to the less privilage in the society…that is to say to those who could not have the opportunity to go to secondary school or high school because they did not have good results, or there parents are very poor that they cannot afford to help.
My desire is to organise a place either to build or rent to provide room for those type of people , keeping them from the street, from been wasted in life, give them hope to have access to education, in variouse forms and methods
therefore i am appealing to anyone (individual, companies, schools or instituations) to help me , or join with me to make this dream come true….
we will need , text books, novel, exercise books, pens and pencils, t-shirts, uniforms, badges. computers, projectors to mention few…basically anything heping in the educational sector
Live is a recycle! what goes around comes around, your unwanted is a wanted for someone! the more we give the more we get!
pls do not hesitate to contact me for any question or help on
tomfofana@hotmail.com
pls send email to get my telephone number for better communication
Lets recycle for good, for better, for love of mankind and Humanity sake!!!
Thanks for your time !!!
Reply
We have many classroom sets of books, English, Social, Science,
Business, Math, etc. Would love for you to have. Please contact me.
Hi Janice
I would love to have the books if they are still available, my email is:hiltz500@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks
janice where r u iamin southampton iam willing to take
Hi there – some helpful stuff here, but I’m still not sure what action to take regarding organisations who DO want old (but in excellent condition) academic books. I was in education for many years and have lots of books on asspects of learning, psychology, early childhood education etc which would still be relevant to many studies.
If any organisation CAN use these books, preferably in underdeveloped countries, please contact me. My e-mail is morganz.ivy@live.com
I need text books for a new Catholic Secondary School. Their libarary is set up but the shelves are empty, and I promised to help source books for the library. Ideally, would prefer new books. I am based in London and would be willing to collect within a 50mile radius, of good quality books. My email address is spiritanbkshop@yahoo.co.uk
I currently teach in a college of Education, I am hoping to engage in a roving,free, holiday teaching for secodary school students in my area. As an art teacher, my particular target is to try to diasbuse the minds of the populace here that art is not all that blasphemious in its totality. My immediate constraint is in the non availability of a LCD projector, I will not mind if any one can offer one for free whatever the age
Hi
My name is Nafiisa and I live in London.
I would love to hear from you if you have any books for donation.
I will be able to help with the cost of shipping.
These books will be send to developing countries in East Africa to those children, students and adults in need that dont have any access or affordable bookshops or libraries in their villages.
Books create literacy, which creates opportunity and a brighter future. Every book counts in raising literacy, hope and imagination for an innumerable number of children students and adults alike.
Please make a difference today and contact me on nafiisa@live.co.uk
Love to hear from you.
i would be very happy if you could send me free books for improving education in agona asafo in the central region of ghana
my name is mary otsin i operate a private school in agona asafo in ghana.we need a school building and educational materials,i would be happy if any individual or organization could come to my aid. my contact email address is :adjei.kankam@yahoo.com
thank you.
We are a charity organization called We Yone Child Foundation in Sierra Leone, we care for and provide basic needs to less privilege children such as orphans, street kids, Disabled and other vulnerable. We need boods, foodm clothing, etc for our children in dire need of help.
Make your shipment or contact us at:
REGISTERED CHARITY HEAD OFFICE:
F32 Bayconfields off Fergusson Street,
Freetown, Sierra Leone.
West Africa.
Tel: +23277435212
Kindness regard,
We are still in need of old and new books for our orphans children in Sierra Leone. Do you have some, please send us and help educate the children in need.
E-mail: weyonechildfoundation@gmail.com
Tel: +23277435212
Regards,
Hello I currently teach English in a school in Turkey.We need second hand or new English novels,history books and pictures to build a library.Thanks for your attention.My e mail:nart_78@hotmail.com
Hi, I teach in a state school in the U.K. I am a Cameroonian and decided last year to help promote literacy and adult education in the english speaking section of Cameroon by opening local community libraries. Three are on going and running. Please contact me if you have any used text books and novels. My contact is: e-mail: alemanji@yahoo.fr or 07898937574.
Thanks