REcycling Matters ~ the REasons Why We Should: Staff Resources

Here are a few ideas and  websites that may help you to locate resources and information:

• An excellent  way for libraries to swap or find homes for items they are no longer using is through NYLA's Library Swap Shop (please note you need to be a NYLA member in order to access program and website). In that site you can also list items that you may want to sell  in the "Sell Your Item" tab.  
• Every year there is an EcoChallenge and the past year's was the Drawdown EcoChallenge, check it out! 

Kidshealth.org has great tips for parents and families. This site provides information that help raise earth-friendly kids. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation has Resources for Families which promotes outdoors activities that shows the importance of taking care of our environment. Additionally, agencies such as the  National Wildlife Federation, Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency  have great tools for families and educators.  

The ALA is a great resource for libraries in regards to space design and sustainability.  If you are looking fro resources to make your library more and and sustainable there is a cool Green Libraries website that you may like to look at for new and  for renovation projects.

General recycling centers do not take hard cover books unless the covers are removed allowing you to then recycle the remaining  pages of the book.  However, it would be best best to check with your local service to ensure that they will accept hardcover books with the covers removed, as  each recycling center has their own guidelines. Furthermore, many organizations such as consignment shops, schools, and other various nonprofit centers take book donations and/or picks up books such as PickupPlease. There are programs such as BetterWorldBooks, Powells, Half Price Books,  Amazon's Trade in Program, including some of your local book stores that take books as well.  Clinton Essex Franklin Library System participates in the Baker & Taylor sustainable shelves program which allows us to receive Baker & Taylor credit for weeded books that remain after we offer them out to all of you.

Here is a great list of Earth-Friendly books that will help you learn more about taking care of our planet.  Being good earth stewards will help take care of our natural resources. 

Remember that electronics and metal items can be recycled and sometimes you may even be able to sell them. Fixtures, various metal racks, and other surplus or unused items  may be useful to others.