Magazine RecyclingMagazine recycling can be accomplished in several different ways. From selling used magazines to recycling the paper. There are several things to evaluate when considering how to dispose of magazines. These include age, condition, quantity, and titles.
AgeMagazines do not need to be super old to be worth money. Magazines from the 1800’s can be worth less than others from the 1960’s. So, how to tell. Well, this will take some research on your part, but I can give you some general rules.If they are newer, say the last 3 or 4 years, give them to someone that wants them. If you think they are valuable, research them as you would an older magazine. Depending on the titles, senior centers, day cares, and youth groups will often take them. Check with your library to see if they have a magazine exchange. You drop off the magazines you no longer want and take any that look interesting. If not, see if anyone in your community is interested in starting a magazine exchange. Put an ad at Freecycle.org this is a great way to recycle items that you just want out of your house. This is a free service, you just need to register. In a nutshell, you place a free ad to give away the item. If they are older, you may want to check to see if they are salable. The quickest way is an advanced search on eBay. You need to be a registered eBay user to utilize this feature. Log on to eBay and click the advanced search button. Put in your search terms and check the closed listings box. This will show what the listings actually closed at, the winning bid. When you get the results order them by highest price first. This shows the high end, then look at the last page, to get an idea of the low end. More telling than the prices are the number of listings and the percentage that are selling. If 80 - 90 % is selling, you have a winner.
QuantityQuantity can be a factor as magazine lots normally sell higher (per issue price) than single issues. This is especially true if your lot is in a series. All the issues from 1954 for example. Run several searches, general “Life magazine” to more specific “Life magazine 1963”. Sometimes one particular issue is hot and is selling for way more than any of the others.TitlesTitles are important. Sci-Fi magazines from the 1950’s to 1970’s have been good sellers, as have older outdoor magazines. Do a general search on the magazine title either on eBay or a search engine to see if it is selling and to get an idea for how much. Some magazine lots are selling in the hundreds of dollars, so check it out before you just toss them in the trash or take it to the recycle bin.ConditionCondition is not always a factor. If the cover is torn or dirty not all may be lost. Older, shall we say vintage, (more on that later) magazines can be disassembled and the advertising sold. Most magazines from the 1920’s and 30’s are worth more by the page than whole. This will take much more time and effort than just off loading a box of magazines, but depending on your situation, may be worth it.You X-acto blade the pages from the binding. Pick the ads that you think would look good framed then bag them and tag them. Talk about taking magazine recycling to a new level. Anyways, they look best when you use backer boards and polypropylene bags. These can be time consuming to sell on eBay, but there are other options such as local consignment auctions, antique malls, resale or consignment shops, and flea markets. 
This is an ad from 1920 that I sold on eBay. The great colors and graphics make it worth framing.
A Few Thoughts on Magazine RecyclingIf your magazines are salable, you need to determine the best outlet for your situation. When selecting an outlet for magazine recycling please remember, some items that sell high on eBay have virtually no market anywhere else. The reverse can also be true. Items that do not sell, or do not sell for much on eBay can be hot sellers in your local market.Magazine recycling can of course be accomplished by taking them to the recycle bin. I recommend removing any personal information. Any route you take that keeps used magazines out of the landfill is good for the environment. If you can also put a little cash in your pocket, you benefit twice. The trash can should always be the last resort for any resource.
Return from Magazine Recycling to Reuse
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