Book Recycling and Bulk Book Disposal
National Recycling provides book recycling and bulk book disposal for businesses, schools, libraries and local authorities across the UK.
Book collections
Book Waste Recycling We collect
Our service is built for bulk loads of book waste, whether you are a business or educational establishment clearing old stock, decommissioning a library or dealing with surplus printed material.
Handled with care.
Books.
Hardbacks, paperbacks and reference books from stock clearances, office moves and archive clear-outs.Textbooks.
Out-of-date or surplus textbooks from schools, colleges and training providers.Library stock.
Withdrawn, damaged or duplicate books when a library is reduced or closed.Brochures and other printed products.
Old marketing literature and printed stock you no longer need.Magazines.
We also collect magazines and catalogues through our magazine recycling service.
From your site to a fresh start
How Our Book Disposal Service Works
- 01
Tell us what you have.
Use the quote form to give us the type of books, a rough quantity and your collection postcode. A photo helps. - 02
Get your quote.
Our team replies with a quote providing clear pricing details. - 03
We collect.
A licensed waste carrier from our haulage network collects from your premises at an agreed time. - 04
Pulping and recycling.
Your books go to a licensed recycling facility, where they are pulped and the fibres are recovered. - 05
Receive your documents.
You get a waste transfer note as a record that your waste was handled legally.
Let’s get it sorted
Book a Bulk Book Collection
Clearing a library, a stockroom or a school store? Call 0845 366 9306 or request a quote online and our team will reply with a quote.
Book collections
What Is Book Pulping?
Book pulping breaks books and brochures down into reusable paper fibres. The fibres are cleaned and used to make recycled paper, which reduces the need for new raw materials.
Books should not simply go in a general recycling bin. Glued bindings, covers and other non-paper parts need the right process, and glossy paper needs specialised recycling methods. Sending bulk loads for pulping deals with all of this in one go.
Handled with care.
A partner you can depend on
Why Choose National Recycling
Business-only service.
We work with businesses, schools and local authorities rather than households, so our collections suit bulk loads.UK-wide coverage.
Our network of haulage partners collects from sites across the country.Licensed carriers and recycling facilities.
We use verified waste carriers and licensed recycling facilities, fully compliant with UK regulations.Recycling first.
We recycle wherever it is possible and safe, and arrange compliant disposal for anything that cannot be recycled.Quick quotes.
Our team replies quickly to every enquiry, providing a fast turnaround for collections.One-off or regular.
Book a single clearance or a scheduled collection, with one supplier for every location.
Find the right service
Related Services
How do I dispose of a large number of books?
Book a bulk collection with a business recycling company. National Recycling collects large quantities of books from businesses, schools, libraries and local authorities across the UK, then sends them for pulping so the paper fibre can be reused. Send us the type of books, a rough quantity and your postcode, and we will reply with a quote.
Can old textbooks be recycled?
Yes. Old textbooks can be pulped and recycled like other books. Schools, colleges and training providers often replace large numbers of textbooks at once, and we can collect them in bulk from your site. The books go to a licensed recycling facility, where the paper is broken down into fibres and made into recycled paper.
What is book pulping?
Book pulping is the process of breaking books down into paper fibres. The books are processed with water to form a pulp, the fibres are cleaned, and the recovered material is used to make recycled paper. It is the standard way to recycle bulk books because it deals with the paper in large volumes.
Can books go in the paper recycling bin?
Usually not. Books have glued bindings, covers and sometimes glossy pages, which most mixed paper collections are not set up to handle. For a few books, a charity shop or library may take them. For bulk quantities from a business or school, a dedicated book collection that sends them for pulping is the better route.
Do you collect books from households?
No. Our book recycling service is for businesses, schools and local authorities, and it is designed for bulk loads. If you have books at home, try a charity shop, a local library or your council recycling centre. Many council sites need you to book a slot before you visit.
Is there a minimum quantity for book collections?
Our book collections are designed for bulk loads rather than a few boxes. The right collection depends on how many books you have, how they are stored and where you are. Tell us the rough quantity through our quote form, ideally with a photo, and we will let you know what we can do.