A new chapter for recycling in the borough will allow people to donate their unwanted books into special “bins”, which will be regularly emptied so the books can be shipped to African schoolchildren.
Pupils at deprived schools in Tanzania, who are taught in English, will receive books that match their syllabus, while the books that aren’t suitable will be sold online to raise funds to cover the shipping costs.
The scheme is being implemented by Tower Hamlets Council’s recycling and waste management contractors Veolia Environmental Services, which has joined forces with educational charity READ International following a successful trial period in Westminster.
Chris Hodges, Veolia’s contract manager in Tower Hamlets, said: “We have seen how successful the scheme has been in other parts of London and we are determined to replicate that success here, so we encourage residents to make good use of the book bins and help make a difference to children in east Africa.”
• The book recycling points can be found at Spitalfields City Farm, Weaver Street, Antill Road at the junction with Grove Road, Chrisp St Market at the junction with East India Dock Road, Vaughan Way near the Waitrose, and Vallance Road at the junction with Old Montague Street.
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