The SWON Libraries Staff has increased their efforts towards becoming a green organization. We have been recycling pop cans for years (who hasn't?) with a special bin for cans and signs around the training room to encourage workshop participants to recycle their cans. This year, we are taking more steps to decrease our solid waste output.
We now recycle all of our printer and toner cartridges and encourage all members to do likewise. SWON Libraries accepts printer and toner cartridges and provides a discount on workshops and events for members who bring cartridges with them to recycle.
All office paper is recycled on a weekly basis using the Paper Retriever bins available across the area. Many of our member libraries host this program as well. Abitibi provides bins for paper recycling as a nonprofit fundraising tool. SWON Libraries staff added "paper only" bins that sit next to each trash can. Everyone is encouraged to use these bins for anything suitable for the Paper Retriever containers. The staff recently started recycling cardboard as well.
All of these efforts have started to add up! The weight of the weekly trash bag is considerably less. It's true that we all have to pitch in to make this work: one staff member takes home the cans to recycle, another cuts up the cardboard and takes it to the recycling center, and we make a weekly run to a local Paper Retriever container.
In the near future, we will be hosting a program presented by the Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District tailored to libraries and the ways that they can easily start up a recycling effort. Waste away with us!
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