Photo by Official Cemex Images and used in accordance with Creative Commons license 2.0.
Tomorrow, April 22, is Earth Day! Here in the Special Collections we strive to reuse materials when possible and recycle all that we can. The nature of an archive, and libraries in general, is to recycle and reuse our materials. In fact, I would venture to say that we are the ultimate recyclers. We save trees by purchasing print materials that can be utilized by many. When we no longer need our print materials we hold a book sale. We are increasingly offering materials exclusively online, which saves some serious paper! Not to mention eliminating the pollution associated with traveling to view a collection or resource.
In the Special Collections we currently: recycle all paper, glass, cans, batteries, and plastics (that are recyclable). We reuse all folders and boxes and once we can no longer recycle a folder for its original purpose, we use it as box filler for small collections and padding for large materials. We use CFL’s in our lamps. No matter how much you do at home or at work to reduce your environmental impact however, there is always a little more that you can do. Here in the Special Collections we are making a new environmental pledge for the coming year. With all of the materials that we already recycle, it had not occurred to us to recycle our inkjet cartridges. Many charities will actually accept your used inkjet cartridges for recycling. When they turn them in, they get funds for the charity. We have not yet decided which charity we will recycle through, but we are excited about the opportunity!
Make a pledge of your own for Earth Day. For more information, see the Earth Day Network website. The theme of this year’s Earth Day is A Billion Acts of Green. Join us and submit an “Act of Green” on their website here. Happy Earth Day!