Green Your Operations Fifteen Ways

What’s this all about?

• We all want to go green• We can’t all build fancy new green buildings• But we can be sustainable in our

operations!• 15 areas for improvement

– Probably are doing some already– Probably can’t do others– But you can do something!

• http://delicious.com/eduserv/green_ops

1: Conduct a waste stream audit

Ask yourself:• What are we throwing out?• How much of it?• Where is it coming from?Then ask:• Where can it go besides the landfill?• How can we generate less to start

with?

2: Use less paper

• Double sided prints/copies• Print management systems• Digital document delivery• Migrate forms online• E-versions of employee manuals &

docs• Route one copy—or no copies!• Get multiple catalog mailings reduced

to a single copy

3: Recycled and reused materials

• Recycled paper– 30% recycled works as well as new

paper

• Reused or reclaimed materials– Furniture– Office equipment

• Don’t forget to offer your own stuff for others to reuse!

4: Green your break room

• Encourage brown-bagging• Get rid of disposable dishes, cups,

flatware• Serve fruit, not packaged snacks• Lose the bottled water• Clean the microwave

5: Greener weeding

• Book sales• Donate locally• Send your discards

to be reused– B-Logistics– Better World Books

6: Energy Efficient Lighting

• Replace older T12 fluorescent lamps with T8 lamps– And magnetic ballasts with high-

efficiency ones– 35 - 43% energy reduction at similar

light levels

• Convert exit signs to LEDs– 90 - 92% energy reduction

6: Energy Efficient Lighting

• More ideas:• Open the blinds to let in daylight• Reduce overall light levels,

supplement at task planes• Dust the ceilings – a bright ceiling

reflects more light

7: Give your HVAC some TLC

• Proactive HVAC maintenance• Reduce your building’s total energy

use by up to 8%• Improve indoor air quality• Contractors for major repairs and

overhauls• In-house maintenance on an

ongoing, regular basis

8: Turn it off

• Use natural daylighting when possible• Occupancy sensors for less-used

spaces• Exorcise the “phantom”

– Set screens to go blank(not to a screensaver)

– Use smart power strips– Unplug chargers and

converters when not in use

9. Drive it into the ground

• Purchase high-quality equipment– Higher up-front costs– Save money down the road

• Maintain your equipment, furniture, vehicles, etc.

• Defer new purchases by extending lifetimes– Update and upgrade– Make sure it will meet user demands though

10. Alternative transportation• Preferential parking for fuel-

efficient vehicles, carpools• Encourage employees to

carpool, bike, take public transit– Subsidize/offer incentives– Coordinate rideshares– Showering/changing facilities

for staff?

11. Don’t forget telecommuting!

• What workflows don’t require actual in-house presence?

• Draw up telework policies, employee agreements

• Meetings too!• Need infrastructure in place

– Equipment: employee’s or library’s?– Connectivity at home (subsidized?)– Secure file access, e-meeting software,

etc.

12. Clean greener

• Walk-off mats work!• Use non-toxic formulas• Green Seal products

– Coordinate with your janitorial contractor

13. Greener ILL

• Scan and send electronically when possible

• Participate in local/regional consortia– Nearby sources are better than remote– Local couriers supplying reusable shipping

bags/bins • Reuse packaging

– New packaging accounts for >50% of environmental impact

– Padded bags are better than cardboard

14. Greener IT

• EPEAT system for equipment selection• Criteria:

– Reduction/elimination of environmentally sensitive materials

– Materials selection– Design for end-of-life – Product longevity– Energy conservation– End-of-life management– Corporate performance– Packaging

15. Tell your patrons!

• Develop an eco-collection• Promote the library as a

green institution• Offer green themed programs and

events– Bring in local activists and experts

• Turn your landscape into an interpretive center

The 3 R’s?

• Reduce• Reuse• Recycle

The 6 R’s!

• Rethink• Reduce• Reuse• Recycle• Repurchase/Recover• Rejoice

Thank You for Attending!

Questions?Questions?• 1.800.999.8558

– Ext. 3848

• Web: lyrasis.org

•Email: russell.palmer@lyrasis.org