In a world where sustainability and community engagement are becoming increasingly vital, NuGen has embarked on a remarkable journey to combine the two in a truly unique way. 

NuGen has long been associated with environmentally conscious property and waste clearance solutions, but the challenge of donating the books collected became difficult. There are so many books being cleared that even the many charity shops NuGen partner with found themselves unable to accommodate the overflow.

NuGen's Director, Andrew Irvine, came up with the concept of creating community free book banks and using them to help community integration.  

NuGen reaches out to local businesses, housing associations, community centers, and similar entities with a public footfall, inviting them to participate in this initiative. By housing one of these book banks, these establishments become a great part of community engagement, allowing people to help themselves, and encouraging them to leave behind a book for others to discover.

Moreover, the initiative has extended beyond the confines of the book banks themselves. The NuGen team has also adopted the role of modern-day “book fairies”. Books are randomly placed by the NuGen Team around Edinburgh and its surrounding areas, waiting to be discovered by eager readers. This delightful twist adds an element of surprise to the initiative, turning the act of stumbling upon a book into a delightful surprise, lifting spirit whilst inspiring people of all ages to embrace in reading whilst thinking about the reuse and recycling involved.

This is a non-profitable project and books are always free. The concept works on community spirit and is ideally self-sustaining with as many new books coming in as going out. However, the books do not need to be returned to the library. Readers can keep books if they love them, pass on to a friend or share them in another Community Free Library. NuGen are always more than willing to top up the libraries should this be needed.  

If your organisation has an area to spare, NuGen would love to provide you with a fully-stocked book library. This initiative is perfect for spaces like waiting rooms, lounges, or any spot where people gather. These mini libraries not only offer a wide range of reading material but also contribute to a sense of community, sparking conversations and connections among those who frequent the area.

While the majority of books find new homes through NuGen's free book banks and book fairies, sadly, not every book is in a condition to be saved, often being damaged, or damp, and are beyond reuse. 

These are handled with the same eco-conscious approach that NuGen defines whilst carrying out property and waste clearance services. These books are recycled responsibly, adhering to a zero-waste-to-landfill policy and the books will be sent to a material recycling facility to be processed and become another paper product.