Today I was pleased to attend a short virtual tour of Better World Books’ warehouse in Dunfermline. Unfortunately, I didn’t think to take any screenshots but as a longtime supporter and customer of theirs, I found the tour extremely interesting.
“Better World Books is a for-profit, socially conscious business and a global online bookseller that collects and sells new and used books online, matching each purchase with a book donation. Each sale generates funds for literacy and education initiatives in the U.S., the UK, and around the world. Since its launch in 2003, Better World Books has raised $33 million for libraries and literacy, donated over 32 million books, and reused or recycled more than 397 million books”
source: https://www.betterworldbooks.com/
A few interesting points from the Virtual Tour:
- Books received at warehouse from libraries or donation drop boxes are processed and either sent to the Internet Archive, donated (children’s books), or listed for wholesale
- Unsellable/unusable books are recycled into animal bedding
- 1 million books currently on their shelves for sale
- Partnered with 4000 libraries globally
- Received a Circular Economy award from ScotGov
- Packaging is recycled, biodegradable plastic and cardboard boxes are reused multiple times before being recycled into animal bedding
History: History – About Better World Books
A Very Fine Library 
Reblogged this on Edinburgh Library and Information Services Agency.
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