Better World Books draws up $4.5M for textbook rescue service

San Francisco-based Better World Books looks a bit like a philanthropic mission: The company saves old textbooks from the landfills, selling them cheaply through its online store and buying carbon credits to offset emissions from shipping.

However, Better World is a for-profit venture, and earned over $16 million in revenue last year. The company says it has also saved 6,500 tons of books from going to landfills and bought 2,400 tons of carbon offsets.

Good Capital provided $2.5 million of the total funding from its Social Enterprise Expansion Fund, while 18 private investors gave the remaining $2 million. Better World is based in San Francisco, Calif. and says it employs 160 people.

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