Bookstore Supports University’s Sustainability Efforts

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Through a nonprofit tree-planting group, Book Drives Inc. will plant a tree in honor of the University of Arkansas for every item sold through the bookstore’s collection of unwanted and unneeded textbooks and electronics.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – At the end of the semester, many students make a beeline to the bookstore to sell their textbooks for some spending money. But what about the books that are no longer being used on campus and not eligible for buy back? Now, thanks to a partnership between the University Bookstore, Associated Student Government and the Office of Campus Sustainability, unwanted and unused books can be “recycled” into trees.

“The University of Arkansas Bookstore will serve as a collection point for any textbooks and library books that will no longer be used on campus,” said Ali Sadeghi, director of the University Bookstore.

The process works like this: Once collected at the University Bookstore in the GarlandCenter, the books will be shipped to Book Drives Inc. and then will be sorted for worldwide marketplace sale and recycling. As the books are sold, 22 percent of the gross sale price will be returned to ASG to assist in its campus sustainability goals. For each item sold, Book Drives Inc. will fund the planting of at least one tree through the nonprofit group Trees for the Future. The collection begins immediately and will last until Dec. 17.

“Each tree is estimated to remove 50 pounds of carbon dioxide per year,” Sadeghi said. “We can also collect unwanted CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray, video games, cell phones, laptop computers, MP3 players, gaming consoles and PDAs,” he said. “Electronic devices don’t have to be in working order and all items not sold are recycled 100 percent.” 

“This program is just another important step toward neutralizing the University of Arkansas’ carbon footprint,” said campus sustainability director Nick Brown. “It also provides a much-needed resource for our campus community for the responsible disposal of unwanted and unneeded books and electronics. It’s truly a win-win situation for the campus, and the environment.”