The Town of Sandisfield will soon have a new option for residents looking to recycle unwanted books and media. Baystate Books recently contacted the Town about placing a donation bin at the Transfer Station, providing residents with a convenient way to donate unwanted books, DVDs, and CDs.

The Town hopes the new bin will provide a practical solution for residents and support continued efforts to reduce waste at the Transfer Station. The bin will be provided at no cost to the Town, and Baystate Books will empty it every two to three weeks, depending on demand. The bin is expected to arrive within the next two to three weeks.

Both DPW Superintendent Derek Boomsma and Transfer Station Attendant Tim Garcia support the addition. Several neighboring communities, including Otis, New Marlborough, Tolland, and Sheffield, already use Baystate Books for this service.

The new donation bin offers an alternative following the Town's decision to restrict books from being left in the Swap Shop. While the bin will not provide an opportunity for residents to take books home, it will give residents a designated place to donate unwanted books and media, helping keep those items out of the landfill while allowing the Town to maintain a clean and organized facility.

The Town also considered whether the Sandisfield Public Library could accept book donations. However, due to limited space and the need to periodically remove older books from its collection, the Library is unable to accommodate additional donations at this time.