green ops 15 ways
TRANSCRIPT
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: [email protected]