Get used books
- Earth Points
- 10
- Ease
- Easy
Photo by Tom Hermans on Unsplash
Description
Whether for school, work, or enjoyment, books are an important part of teaching, learning, and connecting with new ideas. Instead of immediately purchasing brand-new textbooks, novels, nonfiction, or other books, check whether a secondhand copy is available.
Used books are often more affordable, and buying them can support local secondhand shops and independent bookstores. Choosing used also keeps existing books in circulation and may reduce demand for new copies, especially when a used purchase replaces a new one.
Producing a new book requires paper from trees, printing, binding, packaging, and transportation. A book reuse study estimated that secondhand book sales could save more than twice as much energy as producing books from recycled paper.
Book swaps are another enjoyable way to get used books. Exchange books with friends, family members, classmates, colleagues, or other readers. Your old books can find new readers, while you discover something new without purchasing another copy.
Not every book or required edition will be available secondhand. If you need to buy a new copy, use it for as long as needed and then donate, sell, or swap it so someone else can reuse it. Happy reading!
Tips
• Visit used bookstores, thrift shops, library book sales, and online secondhand retailers to expand your book options. A quick search online will help you find options. It has never been easier to buy used.
• Invite friends, family members, classmates, colleagues, or members of a book club to exchange books they have finished reading.
• Use the Little Free Library map to find public book-sharing boxes near you. You can also use BookCrossing to share and track books as they travel between readers.
