Dear Co-op America, I’m looking for Earth-friendly ways to get rid of some old books. Any ideas? — Bookworm in Biloxi, MS
GOOD FOR you for not caving to the temptation to toss your used books. You’re probably aware that used bookstores will take them off your hands, so here are a few ideas you may not have thought about:
* Donate books locally. Your neighborhood library, senior center, school, hospital, or women’s shelter may be more in need of quality used books than you think. Give them a call.
* The International Book Bank accepts books of all kinds and distributes them to nonprofits overseas. Call 410-636-6895.
* If you have older hardcovers, especially those by well-known authors, check the copyright page for the words "first edition." First editions of classics — and books potentially destined to become classics — can be worth quite a bit of money. To find out approximately how much any first editions are worth, you can compare book prices at www.bookfinder.com, or ask a rare book dealer.
* A great way to build community among your neighbors or co-workers is to hold a book swap — an event where you and your friends bring the books you don’t want and trade with each other. It’s a great time to relax, talk about reading, and get rid of the unwanted portion of your collection. The Literacy Trust, a UK-based nonprofit, offers tips and resources for holding your own swap here.
* Finally, try setting your unwanted books free. The Web site Bookcrossing.com, a self-described "reading club that knows no boundaries," encourages people to leave books they love in public places for others to find and enjoy. In exchange, you get to track your favorite book’s whereabouts, as well as other people’s responses to it.
How it works is this: you register a book you love with the BookCrossing site, which assigns you an ID number. Then, download and print a ready-made label with that number on it and place it in the book. Leave the book in a conspicuous public place for someone to find. The recipient will find a message on your label encouraging him/her to visit BookCrossing.com and write a brief online journal reporting the book’s ID number and its location, as well as his/her reaction to reading it.
Dear Co-op America, Are there any socially responsible mutual funds that make a point of investing in renewable energy? — Jeannie in Memphis, TN
THE ONE social fund we know of that puts special emphasis on investing in renewable energy companies is the New Alternatives Fund (800-423-8383). Additionally, many socially responsible mutual funds proactively invest in businesses that promote a clean environment — including alternative energy companies — and screen out those with the poorest environmental and energy records. For a list of socially responsible mutual funds, including screening information, visit the nonprofit Social Investment Forum’s Web site.
(Before investing in any mutual fund, order a prospectus to ensure that it meets your social and financial goals. This information is not presented as a recommendation or an endorsement by the writers. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Investing in mutual funds puts your principal at risk.)
Dear Co-op America, Do you know of any resources where I could find out about a major company’s human rights and environmental background? I buy mostly from local and eco-friendly businesses, but sometimes a visit to a corporate chain is necessary. — Dwayne in Modesto, CA
NEXT TIME you’re surfing the Internet, visit Co-op America’s www.responsibleshopper.org. This free online tool allows you to look up the social and environmental performances of over 400 major corporations, including those from which you may shop. Whether you want to find out how environmentally conscious that gas station in your local area is or if a certain major department store is tied to sweatshop abuses, ResponsibleShopper can help.
ResponsibleShopper.org also allows you to compare company records within industries. If you don’t like what you see, you can use the "Quick Mail" feature to immediately send an e-mail to companies about issues that concern you.
As you rightly noted, the best way to ensure that the companies from which you purchase are socially and environmentally responsible is to patronize green and local businesses whenever possible.
Living Green is brought to you by Co-op America, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that provides green living, purchasing, and investing tips and resources. To join Co-op America and get a free copy of the National Green Pages™ directory of green businesses, contact 800/58-GREEN. If you have a question for Living Green, click to e-mail.