Most of the sustainability projects completed during the past three years were initially identified in the 2008 Green Task Force Report. These projects were approved by the library’s Executive Council and implemented by the library’s Green Committee.
As a result of the 2008 Green Task Force Report, the library assigned a member of the Green Committee to serve as its first sustainability coordinator. This position continues to evolve as the library works to define its role in supporting operational and academic sustainability initiatives. The sustainability coordinator and Green Committee are moving forward with initiatives identified in the 2008 Green Task Force Report. Examples include replacing old equipment with energy efficient models that cost less to maintain, participating in a plastic totes program for office supply shipments, and finding new ways to reduce consumption. Additional information can be found on our Green Building Facts page.
In the spring of 2010, the library expanded its recycling program by implementing centralized waste stations in staff areas. These waste pods make it convenient for staff and faculty to deposit and sort all waste from workspaces into separate containers for aluminum, cardboard, papers, and plastics. Additional drop-off points were also designated for battery recycling in both public and staff areas. Waste pods and drop-off points make recycling easy and encourage staff to throw away less and recycle more. The library continues to recycle, re-purpose, and re-use items such as furniture, office supplies, Styrofoam, packing materials, and telephone books.
As part of the library's efforts to stay connected and active with campus sustainability initiatives, the library participated in the development of the University’s Energy and Environmental Stewardship Initiative: 2010 Climate Action Plan and has become a campus model for the upcoming Green Team (Certification) Program 2012. By looking for opportunities to increase our impact and improve our results, we have identified internship and project opportunities for students. These opportunities have included creating educational/awareness exhibits, helping expand library recycling programs , and installing two water bottle filling stations.
The library continues to move forward and to look for new opportunities as sustainability expands on campus both operationally and academically.
