Burlington Review

Burlington County has introduced a new initiative to encourage the recycling of unwanted books. A book recycling bin is now available at the Burlington County Resource Complex located at 22000 Burlington-Columbus Road in Florence. This allows residents to repurpose books instead of discarding them with household waste. Since its installation, nearly 900 pounds of books have been collected this year.

The county will accept hardback and paperback books in good condition. These donations will either be sold or recycled into new products by BookDrop, a Phoenix-based recycler. Additionally, residents can donate unwanted books in good condition to the Burlington County Library System’s Main Branch Library in Westampton for resale during book sales organized by the Friends of the Burlington County Library System. Some branch libraries may also accept donations; however, it is advised that residents call ahead before visiting.

“Burlington County was one of the first counties in New Jersey to create a regional recycling program, and we were the first in the state to create a county library system,” said Burlington County Commissioner Tom Pullion, who serves as liaison to both the Department of Solid Waste and Recycling and the Burlington County Library System. “Bringing unwanted books to either our libraries or the Resource Recovery Complex is a great service that allows them to be sold or developed into new products. It’s a simple step that prevents reusable materials from taking up space in our landfill.”

Textbooks are accepted at the Resource Recovery Complex but not by the Friends of the Burlington County Library. Books that are dirty, damp, moldy, or otherwise in poor condition should not be brought to either location. Magazines are also not accepted.

Residents are reminded not to discard books in curbside recycling containers as they cannot be processed by county recycling equipment.

The Resource Recovery Complex operates weekdays from 7 AM to 5 PM and on Saturdays from 7 AM until noon.

Beyond book recycling, Burlington County provides an e-waste drop-off service at the Resource Recovery Complex for items such as old televisions, computers, monitors, printers, cell phones, holiday lights, and other small electronic devices.

“The more materials we can recycle, the less that ends up in the landfill. When our residents recycle it helps the environment and saves towns on landfill disposal fees,” Pullion noted. “Last year more than 80 million pounds of recyclables were collected saving Burlington County towns over $3.9 million in landfill tipping fees.”

For further information about recycling services offered by Burlington County including details on acceptable materials for curbside collection schedules per town residents can download their free Recycle Coach app available through Apple GooglePlay stores contact their Recycling Coordinator directly via phone email provided above