RHS Student Ryan Donovan Gives Donated Books New Life!

Re-Bound Books – A Win-Win Venture

In an inspired way to save the planet, Ryan Donovan, one of Ridgefield’s teens, created a program that not only reduces the waste created by discarded books, but also found a way to make it profitable. When Ryan, a junior at Ridgefield High School, became a volunteer in the Ridgefield Thrift Shop, he saw the large amount of donated books the Shop received almost daily. These donations to the Thrift Shop were greatly appreciated but sadly many never found buyers. Ryan and his mother, Mary Ellen, also a Thrift Shop volunteer, explored ways to stop the inevitable journey of the unwanted books to the Transfer Station. Together they decided to “help write their epilogues.”

Ryan takes the books destined for the trash and finds new uses. His game plan is four-fold.

  •        Resell when possible through websites and storefronts.
  •        Recirculate through targeted donations to libraries, schools, prisons, veteran’s associations, and organizations promoting literacy.
  •        Repurpose damaged books to local crafters and school art programs.
  •        Recycle the remaining books for reuse in paper products.

All money made through Ryan’s efforts are donated to the Ridgefield Thrift Shop. In four months, ReBound Books has sold over 600 books, donated over 900, and generated over $1300 for the Shop. In turn, as always, the Thrift Shop uses its proceeds to support dozens of local non-profit organizations in the town of Ridgefield.

Before you toss any books, which are then destined for a landfill, consider donating them to the Thrift Shop instead.  If they don’t sell in the store, ReBound Books will be sure to get them in the right hands for their next chapter.  Contact Ryan (rpdono04@icloud.com) or Mary Ellen (mdonovan21@gmail.com) to find out more about how your book donations can benefit the Thrift Shop, the town and the planet.

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Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

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