Penticton pilot has seen 12,300 lbs of books diverted from landfill to recycling in 3 months

In the past three months, 12,300 pounds of books have been diverted from the landfill to recycling.

This comes as part of a three-month pilot project implemented by the City of Penticton, which will now be extended for the rest of 2023.

“Penticton residents have truly embraced this program, and I’m proud to see our community working together to keep recyclable material out of the landfill,” says Mayor Julius Bloomfield.

“Each of these small steps makes a difference and we’re thrilled the book recycling program is showing positive results.”

The pilot was launched on Jan. 25 after the City noticed that residents were placing books into their home recycling carts.

The thought was there, but RecycleBC unfortunately does not accept books in home recycling carts and it counts as contamination.

It sprung the idea of partnering with ‘Planet Earth Recycling’ to the appropriate recycling bins for books in the lobby of the Penticton Library.

“Through this pilot project, we are providing a convenient location for residents to dispose of books that can’t be read anymore, while also raising awareness about the importance of keeping books out of our home recycling carts,” notes David Kassian, sustainability supervisor.

“The program has shown remarkable results, with virtually no books found in our last recycling audit by RecycleBC.”

Books placed into the ‘Planet Earth Recycling’ bins will be destroyed and the paper will be recycled.

“The types of books that may be recycled include those that are torn, missing pages and cannot be read again,” the City says. “Others include old textbooks, out-of-date guides, encyclopedias and informational books that are older than five years.”

Gently used books that still have life in them can be donated to the Penticton Library, charities and community organizations, or added to one of the city’s many little libraries.