Greening of Libraries

Greening of Libraries

• 39% of all energy use

• 12% of the total water consumption

• 68% of total energy consumption

• 38% of the carbon dioxide emissions

Building Statistics

In the United States, buildings account for:

What do you do?

Ways to Reduce

• Communicate electronically

• Use print preview

• Print on both sides of the paper

• Use technology to go paperless

• Purchase a water filter for the staff kitchen

Ways to Reduce

• Turn it off

• Install programmable thermostats

• Purchase energy star rated equipment

• Install occupancy sensors

• Replace fluorescent 40W-T12 lamps with 32W-T8 lamps and electronic ballasts

Ways to Reduce

• Replace incandescent bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs

• Replace exit signs with LED lights (2W)

• Laptops use less energy than regular desktop computers

• Replace old HVAC system with energy efficient model

Simple Steps to Significant Savings

Action Annual Energy & Maintenance

Savings Annual Savings CO2 (Tons)

Use ENERGY STAR power management to enable low-power mode on 5,000 monitors (15” LCD) and computers $41,700

Replace 500 incandescent exit signs with the ENERGY STAR LED type $25,700 119

420

Use 300 ENERGY STAR qualified and enabled copiers

$3,000 31

Ways to ReduceWays to Reduce

• Use native plants for landscaping

• Install low flow aerators faucets

• Use motion sensor taps

• Low flow toilets

• Waterless Urinals

Ways to Reuse

• Find books & magazines a new home

• Sell canvas bags & use plastic bags from stores

• Refill print cartridges

• Use cups, plates and silverware for staff kitchen

• Provide scratch paper for patrons

Ways to Recycle

• Used cell phone & printer cartridge fundraiser

• Provide recycle containers throughout the building

• Recycle paper, plastic, bottles, cans

• Buy recycled products

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can

change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.“

- Margaret Mead