Do you have a pile of old textbooks you’ll probably never read again, collecting dust in your basement? Fear not. There’s still life on those pages!
Depending on the type of textbooks you want to get rid of, you have several options to choose from, some of which bring in a few extra bucks. Or, with a bit of creativity, you can turn those worn tomes into lots of entertaining objects.
Whether you choose to sell them online, host an old book sale event, or simply donate them, one thing is certain – there are plenty of ways to dispose of them without throwing them away.
Read on to find unique ideas on what to do with old textbooks and how to give them a new purpose!
Sell Your Textbooks Online
Believe it or not, many people would rather buy used textbooks than spend money on new ones. So if you want to monetize your old textbooks, the first way to go is to sell them online. Below you’ll find a list of the most popular sites where you can post your textbooks for sale.
Popular Textbook Marketplaces
There are plenty of online marketplaces where college students can monetize their used books. Some offer good quotes, while others are free to register and have free shipping. Some can even enable you to compare the buyback prices of your books. All you have to do is be honest about the condition of the textbook, put in some relevant factors like edition year or the number of copies, and that’s it.
Online Marketplaces
Powerhouses like Amazon, eBay, and even Facebook Marketplace are perhaps the best spots to sell your old textbooks. Here, you’ll be able to negotiate with potential buyers and set the price. Plus, if you’re selling in bulk or have lots of titles, then these sites should be your go-to destination, as they tend to attract a lot of traffic. Make sure you compare Amazon and eBay seller fees to make the most out of your sales.
College Bookstores
Many college bookstores have buyback programs for students. This means that at the end of the semester, you can check whether the store you bought them from has a buyback program. But, keep in mind that this may not be as lucrative as selling them on other websites or platforms.
Host an Old Book Sale
If selling them online doesn’t quite work for you as you hoped, you can always host a book sale event. This is great for those who are more extroverted and enjoy the thrill of live conversations.
Plus, if you have other books lying around, you could try selling them too. You can find buyers in your local community or share it on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter to get a larger audience.
Donate Old Textbooks
Another great way to put your old textbooks to good use is to donate them to organizations that accept book donations, like Goodwill or Salvation Army. Or you can find a local charity or schools and libraries in neighborhoods with low-income families.
Donating used textbooks is an excellent way to give back to the community and make a positive impact, but also ensure they’re given to someone in need.
Another upside is that some states allow tax deductions to people who’ve made charitable donations. However, before you get your hopes up, make sure to check this with the local tax authorities.
Recycle Old Textbooks
If any of the above ways didn’t work for you, you can always do the environmentally conscious thing and recycle them. It’s better than throwing your old textbooks in the trash, plus many paper mills will be able to accept them and turn them into new products.
You can try local recycling programs to see if they accept textbooks or any books, for that matter. Or you can check some popular bookstores, as many of them actually have recycling programs. And specific guidelines on how to properly dispose of them.
Rent Your Old Textbooks
This option may be a little difficult to pull off, especially since many textbooks that are used one school year are not used the next. But it’s still an option.
You can try renting textbooks directly to students in your area by placing an ad in the local newspaper or college/university bulletin board. Or you can use a college textbook rental service. This is great for those who have lots of titles that aren’t always in high demand, as well as those who don’t have time to sell them online.
Keep Old Textbooks For Future Reference or Tutoring
At this point, you’re trying to get rid of your college textbooks, and yes, it’s possibly the best and most convenient option. But perhaps you’ll need them as reference materials for an interview or a job application. You never know what the future holds.
Maybe you’ll end up tutoring students in the same subject you studied. Nowadays, there are many great tutoring websites that offer the option to share your knowledge and earn a buck or two along the way.
So, if you can keep them safely and properly stored, it’s better to keep them. That way, they’ll be available when you might need them.
Start a Free Library
It may sound like a lot of work, but starting a free library is actually a great way to put your old textbooks to good use. Just find an appropriate location, like the entrance to your home or your front yard, and let the ones that need them borrow them.
You can even collect books from friends and family and offer students in the neighborhood access to them with no cost attached. This is not only a great way to help other students, but it may work to your benefit and help you acquire some good reading materials for yourself.
Turn Old Textbooks into Unique Decorations and Crafts
If you have a knack for arts and crafts and none of the above options gave you the results you wanted, you can use your textbooks to express your creativity. You can actually turn them into home decorations, ornaments, or even furniture with not much effort.
Knife Blocks
Just bind a few of your old textbooks together, and voila, you have a brand-new knife block. And one that’s unique too.
Bookshelves
If you have a large textbook, you can easily turn it into a bookshelf. Just mount the brackets on each side, then lay down the book spine-side out to create your new shelf.
Decorating Paper
Another great idea is to cut out pages from the book and make beautiful collages or simply use them as decorations for any surface!
Box For Storing Small Items
It’s quite simple, really. All you have to do is glue the pages of a book together, then cut out the middle part. And you’ll have a new and unique box for small items. You can even use it as a jewelry box or secret box for storing money for rainy days.
Wall Art
You can also use your old textbooks to create unique wall art. Cut out a few pages and arrange them together in interesting ways, or hang them up on the walls as they are! You’ll be surprised by what you can create.
Coffee Table Covers
If you want to give your old books new life, why not turn them into unique table covers? Just stack a few of your old textbooks together, then cover them up with a glass top. Voila, you have a new coffee table!
A Lamp table
Looking for a simple way to elevate your lamp? Why not stack a few of your old textbooks? This creative solution provides both improved lighting and extra storage space—all in one stylish move.
Clock
Why not add a stylish touch to your décor with no additional cost by using an upcycled book clock? There are plenty of videos you can find online that will help you turn any book into a clock, not just old textbooks.
Coat Rack
This is also pretty simple to make though it may require using some extra tools. Glue two books together, preferably one smaller and one bigger. Then drill a few holes on top to add the hangers, and that’s it. You now have a super unique coat rack and one that’s both functional and stylish!
Scrapbook or Journal
You probably shared a class with a friend who lives in another state. Why not turn the textbook from that very class into a scrapbook with photos and memories of the fun you had at class? It’s the perfect personalized gift and one that will cost you only a few dollars.
Note that you may need special tools, materials, and skills for some of these activities. But none of them are complex, so don’t worry too much.
Final Words
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to avoid having your old textbooks take up space in your house or disposing of them in a landfill.
Selling them could provide some financial relief while giving them away ends up benefiting others. And then there’s the good old upcycling way where you can actually turn them into creative and practical objects.
Regardless of what you decide to do, the key is to make sure you give your old textbooks a new purpose. That way, they can live on and continue to provide value to those around them.