Hard work sees Athy Library achieve Zero Waste status

Athy Community Library is now a Zero Waste Library!

The Athy library staff have been hard at work in recent months, in consultation with the Kildare Climate Action Office, to minimise the library’s carbon footprint and to transition to a Zero Waste model.

The staff are aware that it is impossible to eliminate all waste, but by striving towards reaching the goal of Zero Waste it keeps staff and library users open to identifying further opportunities to reduce waste.

Library staff were joined by Athy Tidy Towns and Athy Town Promoters and the students of fifth Class from Scoil Mhichíl Naofa to mark the occasion.

Some of the areas of action taken in the library to achieve Zero Waste status include:

• Reducing waste produced within the library to the point where the library has removed its industrial waste bins in favour of a smaller household waste bin.

• Reducing staff food waste through use of a compost caddy and bin.

• Removal of paper hand towel dispensers and use of automatic hand dryers throughout the building.

• Removal of waste bins from the library floor.

• Encouraging staff and users of the library to use reusable containers/bottles/cups for their drinks, tea and coffee.

• Informing and educating library users about zero waste and what this means.

• Introducing a large paper recycling bin to the library floor.

• Installing a water filtration system in the staff canteen to cut carbon footprint, plastic usage and reduce the need to purchase large drinking bottles of water.

• Prohibiting food on the library floor to cut down on food waste and waste produced in the building.

• Conducting a thorough audit of all materials used for staff-led events such as crafting events/workshops and ensuring that they are all recyclable.

• Ensuring that any facilitators/caterers engaged by the library are aware of their Zero Waste policy and remove/ recycle excess materials when finished.

Library staff and students also took part in a zero-waste workshop provided by Aidan Stanley of EnviroKids where students learned about all aspects of zero waste. This included how best to use any tips at home or school, looking at our planet and how it is being affected and our local community, how we can improve and help to improve our community.