What is BetterWorldBooks ?
Better World Books is an online for-profit bookseller of used and new books based in the US.
Its current vision consists in collecting and selling books online to fund literacy initiatives worldwide. It is a self-sustaining, triple-bottom-line company that creates social, economic, and environmental value for all its stakeholders.
To prove its commitment, it became a member of B-Corportations (to be granted and to preserve certification, companies must receive a minimum score on an online assessment for social and environmental performance), joining an international network of purpose-driven businesses.
The company decided to be for-profit even though they have a social purpose. They justify it by arguing that this is the most effective model for spreading global literacy because it enables them to « accept investment, to attract top talent through offering stock options and to operate free of the funding cycles and restrictive grants most non-profit companies face” (« Our Programs : Drop Boxes, Frequently Asked Questions », s.d.).
They summarize this in their mission statement: « Better World Books is a global bookstore that harnesses the power of capitalism to bring literacy and opportunity to people around the world » (« Mission and Core Values », s.d.).
With its slogan « You buy, we donate », BetterWorldBooks commits to donating books or a percentage of its profit to literacy programs around the world.
Better World Books’ used books inventory comes primarily from regular book drives at over 1,800 colleges and universities and donations from over 3000 library systems, in addition to donation boxes found on corners and on college campuses.
So far, the company has converted more than 117 million books into over $15 million in funding for literacy and education. In the process, they have also diverted more than 73,000 tons of books from landfills.
Every book donated to BWB is reused: sold, donated or recycled.