The Greening of COM Library
We're going greener in COM Library and we came up with a list of things that we can do that we'd like to share. Some things may actually save us money and others will just help the planet. You are probably already doing some of these, but take a look at our list for more things you can try, or check out our 1st Annual Green Cleaning!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: What Can We Do?

Turn off lights in bathroom when not in use.
Auto water turn off in bathroom.
Use energy saving bulbs, such as fluorescent, compact fluorescent and LED.
Use email instead of paper where appropriate.
Think twice before you use cover sheets on faxes—sometimes not necessary.
Think twice before printing out emails or other docs.
Print on both sides of paper where possible. You can make double sided printing the default by requesting from IT, and still select one sided printing when necessary.
Copy on both sides where possible.
Turn off staff printers at night (make part of the closing and opening routine).
Plug computers into power strips and turn off power strip at night. Why? Appliances draw power even when off! That means the purchase of power strips and getting into the habit of turning off before leaving. They do make some power strips with one or more outlets that are “always on” even when you’ve turned off the strip, if you have a phone or something like that that needs power all the time. See more about stand by power: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Yahoo! Green, Wikipedia

Reuse interoffice envelopes.
Extreme Book Makeover (works for libraries)
If usable, offer unused items to others or send to auction, not trash.
Order recycled paper and other recycled products where appropriate. See what recycled products are available at Staples.
Don't throw away Paper! If used paper printed on one side, make scratch paper
We placed a bin for scratch paper by the paper cutter. When we need scratch paper for reference desk—in high demand by students—paper will be waiting for use to cut and take out.

Take paper products that aren't confidential to campus recycling bins.
Send toner cartridges back to manufacturer so they can recycle. It's free! Check inside cartridge boxes for return materials or print or order postage-paid return shipping materials online. Go to HP to recycle. Go to Xerox to recycle.
Don't throw away paper! If paper is two sided used paper, take to shredder bin. Use lid from copy/printer paper boxes, place conveniently in office and collect paper to be placed in shredder bin. When ready to take to shredder bin, sort between one and two sided paper. Two sided should go to shredder bin.
Don't throw away Paper! If used paper is confidential, whether one sided or two, it should still go to shredder bin, and should go right away rather than waiting.
Office Depot offers free recycling for cell phones, rechargeable batteries and ink & toner cartridges. They also offer other tech recycling for a fee. Get the details (PDF file).