Children at San Rufo elementary school in Salerno, southern Italy, are swapping plastic for books. A bookseller/cafe owner in southern Italy is offering free books to schoolchildren who bring him one plastic bottle and one aluminum can to recycle. Michele Gentile, who founded the Ex Libris Cafe bookshop in Polla, a small town near Salerno, said he wants to encourage kids to read while doing something for the environment.
“My goal is to spread the passion and love for books among those people in Italy who do not usually read, while at the time helping the environment,” he said. “I hope the initiative becomes so viral that it affects the whole country. It will be revolutionary, not only for the planet but also for the education of children and their job prospects,” he said.
The books being donated for the initiative are the so-called “pending” or “suspended” books (“libri sospesi” in Italian), a concept introduced by Gentile a few years ago that earned him headlines in national media. The term derives from the “suspended coffee” Neapolitan tradition, born during World War II, of purchasing two coffees: one for yourself and the second one as an anonymous gift for the next customer in need who walks into the bar. Similarly, Ex Libris customers can buy one book and leave the second one “suspended” for whomever needs it.
The idea for the “plastic/metal for books” recycling initiative came to Gentile while he was looking at a huge pile of metallic waste left abandoned on a field. “It was worth at least 300-400 euros ($338-$451), enough to pay for a middle school kid’s book allowance for a year,” he said. “So, I talked to a local school, and they organized an aluminum collection. Results were extraordinary, about 2 quintals ($564) in two days.” With the money he got from the recycling center, Gentile bought books for a whole class. “So, I thought: Why not (give) away books to kids who bring me plastic bottles and cans?” he said.
His initiative, which involves individuals and schools, has already reached northern Italy, with children from Bordighera, in the Liguria region, sending him 23 bottles and 23 cans to recycle. “Yesterday alone, I donated 60 suspended books,” Gentile said. “Imagine if this becomes a small game: Every child in the world swaps a plastic bottle and a can for books. I know it’s just a dream, but why not do it?“
“it takes generosity to discover the whole through others.
If you realize you are only a violin,
you can open yourself up to the world by playing your role in the concert.”
-jacques yves cousteau
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credits: cnn world news, gianluca mezzofiore
That is fabulous!!
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isn’t it, melanie?
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This is more than generosity-this is genius! I hope the idea skips across the ocean and lands in United States as well. Recycle and become a voracious reader: win-win !!
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I think so too
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I love this. What a great way to get books into kids’ hands.
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it sure is, and teach about taking care of the world as well
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what a brilliant idea !
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yes, and simple )
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What a wonderful initiative.
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it is, in so many ways –
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Great idea!
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I agree
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What an outstanding idea!
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Isn’t it brilliant?
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Yes, why not? So many things in the world can be better if we just ask this, Beth.
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Spot on, Mark
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We will always find ourselves in this convulsed life, a person with an incredible human touch. And here, twice. You tell us opens a door to imitate this noble cause. As always, your narrative is great. It is striking that, being such a young person, you are interested in these topics. Good for you.
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I am endlessly impressed and buoyed by the amount of human kindness is this world, sometimes against all odds. And, I’m not so young)
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I am guided by your photo. Anyway, your blog is great.
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Great idea
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Yes!
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It really is a great thing, a way to start making children read. I hope the books they read actually make them great
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Me too!
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Sure, thanks for letting us know
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what a wonderful idea!!
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I love it too
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This is so BEAUTIFUL!
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It is
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Help the environment AND foster the love of books ~ Win win! Terrific idea.
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Fabulous! I hope it does go around the world…such a wonderful ideal.
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wouldn’t that be wonderful ?
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Pingback: why not do it? — I didn’t have my glasses on…. | Rethinking Life
Lovely!
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yes!
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This combines two things I care deeply about, caring for the planet and educating kids. What a fantastic way to make a difference. Thanks for sharing. This is a great reminder of what one person can do.
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yes, it’s a wonderful combo, ali. and you’re right, it shows the tremendous power of one caring person
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I love this story!!
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it’s a powerful one, isn’t it?
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It definitely is!
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That’s great.
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i thought so, too –
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I love this idea!!
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yes, exactly, wanda –
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What a wonderful idea. The more children we can encourage to expand their literary horizons and read, read, read, the better place this world will become.
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