Independent booksellers have access to a new circular economy platform which will support book recycling efforts among their customers.
Bookshop.org, an online bookselling platform and affiliate network with a mission to financially support independent bookstores and literary culture, has launched ‘Bookloop by Bookshop.org’ to enable the exchange of second-hand products.
The buy-back service powered by Zeercle – the company behind the WHSmith book recycling scheme which was covered on Green Retail World earlier this year – allows consumers to scan their unwanted books at home and then exchange them for store credit that can be used on future Bookshop.org purchases.
Through this new partnership, Bookshop.org has said it will not be selling used titles on its platform because it carries exclusively new books. Instead, Zeercle will sell on any traded titles through online marketplaces that explicitly exclude Amazon-owned and operated websites, as part of its core aim to support independent retailers.
The retailer said authors will also benefit, with Zeercle committed to contributing a percentage of second hand book sales to authors, through an arrangement with the Society of Authors and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS).
The plan is for accumulated royalties to be distributed initially through a shared author fund, to be reviewed from March 2025.
Nicole Vanderbilt, managing director of Bookshop.org UK, commented: “While as a platform we carry exclusively new books, we are keen to offer the opportunity to our customers to exchange their pre-owned books for credit to use on our website.
“This will still bring a benefit to independent booksellers, boosting sales that will help them gain extra commissions, as well as authors via the arrangement with ALCS and the Society of Authors, while ensuring the second-hand books don’t end up on Amazon.”
Eric Gagnaire, co-founder & CEO of Zeercle, added: “At Zeercle, our mission is to promote sustainability in the retail industry, and this service aligns perfectly with our goals.
“By giving books a second life, we are not only reducing waste but also fostering a community of readers who value sustainability and support independent bookshops. This initiative is a win-win for both the environment and the local economy.”
[image credit: Green Retail World]
