I’ve got a large Ikea shelf of computer books, most of which haven’t even been looked at in 10+ years, wondering where the best place to recycle these are?
The library accepts donations although I doubt they’d accept these if they are 10+ old. More info on book donation and recycling here.
I found most places don’t take old text books or computer books. But I found the Value Village near Edmunds st took all my old textbooks and even gave me a 25% off coupon.
Try to preserve anything that might contain rare information. I have had a hard time finding reference books on the Apple IIe.
FYI: If you’re talking about the Value Village that was on Edmonds near Kingsway in Burnaby, that’s closed and being torn down for a retail/office/condo complex.
Nothing of that vintage, the oldest are a couple of Dos 6.22 books which I am keeping. Most of the books are from the dotcom era, late 90’s basically. I have probably a 100 linux magazines from mid 1990’s to probably 2005 or so, but haven’t sorted those yet, that’s a project for another long weekend 
A photo of the titles
Here’s the info from the Vancouver online Waste Wizard
Books (hard or soft cover)
Recycle-Drop Off - Transfer Station or Landfill - Recycle this item at the City Recycling Depots located at the Transfer Station and Landfill. Special Instructions - Books are not accepted in the yellow bag or Mixed Paper cart.
The used books collected at the Transfer Station are donated to Discover Books. The used books collected at the Landfill depot are donated to the Salvation Army Thrift Stores. Regular disposal fees will apply at the Landfill. Free drop off at the Transfer Station.
For a list of other drop off sites and charities that accept books in good condition call the RCBC Recycling Hotline or search on-line at Recyclepedia or Metro Vancouver Recycles
Given that I’ve got styrofoam and other items to take to the Kent transfer station, I’ll take the books with me also.
So looks like it will get to an organization that can make decisions on which books are valuable to keep. That makes me much happier.
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You can recycle them in the winter by burning them to heat your house.
Look for the book donation boxes on the sidewalks. They move around, I think there is one near main at 37th, and another near main at 18th. Check the listings for vancouver:
I dont think even Value Village/SallyAnn will find those books useful. I was just down at Kingsway SA and there were skip loads of everything, from household goods to electronics of all kinds, all in skips heading for some kind of mass recycling.
Books are paper and could probably go in the yellow bag, if that’s not allowed then put them in the garbage where that “carbon” will be buried and not released (if burnt). If we can’t keep it in the ground lets put as much back as we can, if we don’t want it.
Thanks for posting this. I have some old textbooks and other books that I need to get rid of as well, and I wasn’t sure what to do with them. I need to make a trip to the transfer station, so I might as well take the books with me when I go.
Fahrenheit 451.