Moving Out of Your Apartment? What to Do With Your Books

Last verified May 2026 · Original research by Josh Eldred

Don't Leave Books for Your Landlord

When you move out, your landlord expects the apartment to be empty. Books left behind create extra work and cost for property management, and they likely won't be handled kindly. Don't assume your landlord will donate them or pass them on. They'll probably end up in a dumpster.

Books take up space, add weight to boxes, and complicate moving day. Instead of leaving them for someone else to deal with, donate them. It takes minimal effort and your books get a second life with readers in the community.

Don't Throw Them in the Dumpster

Tossing books into the dumpster might seem like the quickest option, but it's wasteful. Books can be reused, read again, and appreciated by others. Many books end up in landfills when they could be donated and enjoyed by someone else.

Donating takes just slightly more effort than throwing them away, and the impact is enormous. Your books won't take up valuable landfill space—they'll be read, sold affordably to new readers, or donated to schools and programs in the Albuquerque area.

Option 1: Schedule Free Pickup

If you have a large collection of books and are moving out of an apartment, free pickup is the easiest option. I'll come to your apartment, collect all your books, and you won't have to transport them yourself.

Here's how it works:

1. Pack your books into boxes or bags
2. Schedule your free pickup before your move-out date
3. Leave the boxes by your door on pickup day
4. I'll pick them up—no need to be home

Schedule early. Don't wait until your last day. Give yourself at least a few days to pack and coordinate pickup so you're not rushing. My scheduling page shows available pickup dates and times.

Option 2: Use My 24/7 Drop Box

If you prefer to drop off your books yourself, my 24/7 drop box is available anytime. It's perfect for apartment dwellers with smaller collections or those with flexible move-out schedules.

The drop box is located at:

Drop off your books anytime:

• • Before work on your move-out day
• • Early morning or late evening
• • Weekends or weekdays
• • Any time that fits your schedule

No scheduling required. No advance notice needed. Just bring your books in bags or boxes and drop them off.

Ideal for UNM and CNM Students

Are you a UNM or CNM student moving out at the end of the semester? Textbooks, course materials, and personal books can add significant weight and bulk to your move. Instead of paying extra to transport them or leaving them behind, donate them.

Many college students use both options: free pickup before move-out for larger collections, and the drop box for smaller items on their last day. Choose what works best for your timeline. For textbook-specific logistics during finals week, see our end-of-semester textbook guide and the definitive textbook donation guide.

What Happens to Your Books?

When you donate your books, they're processed and made available to the community. Books are resold at affordable prices, donated to schools and educational programs, or handled responsibly if they can't be reused. Your books have real impact.

Over 500,000 pounds of books have been collected from the Albuquerque community. Your donation is part of that effort to keep books in circulation and out of landfills.

Make It Part of Your Move

Donating books shouldn't add stress to an already busy move. By choosing one of my simple options—free pickup or 24/7 drop-off—you remove books from your moving load and give them new life in the Albuquerque community.

Don't leave books for your landlord. Don't throw them away. Donate them with me.

Schedule free pickup today, or visit my drop box anytime that works for you.