Going Green in the Library: It's not just for contractors
1. Going Green in the Library:
It’s Not Just for Contractors
Michael Crumpton, UNC Greensboro
Sarah B. Dorsey, UNC Greensboro
Ameet D. Doshi, Georgia Perimeter College
Mary G. Scanlon, Wake Forest University
Beth Filar Williams, UNC Greensboro
10. Reuse
One staff party can produce bags and bags of
garbage containing:
– Paper plates and napkins
– Plastic (styrene) cups and utensils
– Plastic table coverings
– food waste
The recycling potential for these materials is
minimal, at best.
11. Reuse
Alternatives?
– Buy a set of real silverware at Goodwill
– Buy a set of real dishes at the Habitat store
– Buy a fabric table cloth
– Encourage people to bring their own cups and
glasses to meetings and parties
13. Does Your Library Have a Recycling
Program?
Yes
N
o
N
otSure
100%
0%0%
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not Sure
14. What Does Your Library Recycle?
PaperCardboard
G
lass
Alum
inum
/m
etal
PlasticElectronics
O
ther
Nothing
82%
59%
71%
6%
29%
47%
71%
65%
1. Paper
2. Cardboard
3. Glass
4. Aluminum/metal
5. Plastic
6. Electronics
7. Other
8. Nothing
15. Recycling Patron Waste
Our Experience
Increase participation, decrease contamination:
• Put containers where patrons are
• Offer recycling and trash containers together
17. Recycling Library Material
What to do with weeded books?
• Used book sale
• aLibris
• Better World Books
• Donate to another non-profits
– public library
– women’s shelter
• Remove hard covers and recycle paper
18. Recycling Library Material
What to do with used packaging?
• Use large envelopes for campus mail
• Ship ILL materials in used boxes
• Reuse packing material – peanuts, bubble
wrap
• Recycle any cardboard or chipboard that can’t
be reused
19. Recycling Library Material
What to do with e-waste?
• Send to a re-builder: RetroBox, FreeGeek
• Donate to local technical college to practice
repairs
• Bring to Goodwill
24. Tips for Saving Gas
1. Plan ahead and combine as many errands into
one trip as possible.
2. Inflate your tires to the proper setting.
3. Don't speed, and avoid quick acceleration.
4. Avoid excessive idling.
5. Change air and fuel filters periodically.
6. Buy your gas during the coolest part of the day.
7. Tune up your engine.
8. Use the right engine oil.
25.
26.
27. How do you commute to work?
B
ike
B
usC
aralone
C
arpool
Telecom
m
ute
Train
W
alk
0% 0%
53%
20%
13%
7%7%
1. Bike
2. Bus
3. Car alone
4. Carpool
5. Telecommute
6. Train
7. Walk
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33. Has your library screened a film on
sustainability?
Yes
N
o
N
otsure
43%
21%
36%
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure
34. Has your library organized a
sustainable book group?
Yes
N
o
N
otsure
29% 29%
43%1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure
39. Do you use paperless collaboration
tools?
Frequently
O
ccasionally
H
m
m
m
,once
m
aybe
N
ever
50%
0%
7%
43%1. Frequently
2. Occasionally
3. Hmmm, once
maybe
4. Never
40. Are You Engaged in Sustainable
Activities in Your Library?
Yes
–
w
ith
the
library..
Yes,butnotw
ith
the
l...
N
o
77%
8%
15%
1. Yes – with the
library’s approval
2. Yes, but not with
the library’s support
3. No
41. The Green Library
• Resources
– Print, electronic, Web 2.0
– Wayfinders, research guides, training
• Facilities
– Campus hub
– Shared reasons to visit
• Staffing
– Common vision
42. Key Elements of Greening Up
• Awareness
• Education
• Action
43. What are the Risks?
• Established patterns
• Existing equipment
What are the Barriers?
• The way we’ve always done it!
• Motives/Incentives
44. Who are your partners?
Don’t be isolated.
• What’s going on in your community?
• What impact does your higher organization’s
recycling efforts have on YOU?
• With what other organizations can you
partner?
46. Learning Theory Methods
• Positive reinforcement
• Positive punishment
• Negative reinforcement
• Negative punishment
Use a combination of methods to change
behavior – yours, your co-workers’ and your
institutions’.
47. Behavior-Related Myths Can Block
Long-lasting Change
• Crisis is a powerful impetus for change
• Change is motivated by fear
• The facts will set us free
• Small, gradual changes are always easier to
make and sustain
• We can't change because our brains become
"hardwired" early in life
48. Paying the Price
• Apply for Grants
• Get Donors interested
• Collaborate with other organizations
• Share with community organizations