I agree on the cookbooks, but it does a least make it easy to tell when you are looking at a truly vintage copy and when you are seeing a reprint from years later. That doesn't excuse it, but it's something.
I have saved a LOT of packing material and never have to buy any when I send something out, which is rare or when I pack something up to take to donate, but I simply can't keep it all, so I figure letting the paper go without recycling occasionally is better than letting the plastic go without using it again. May be flawed thinking, but I get in WAY more than I send out.
Yes, there should be a balance, as otherwise you can easily become a hoarder. I am sending out quite a lot as I'm selling everything that don't need anymore and when it comes to fragile items, like glass, porcelain, you need a lot of paper.