Sustainability Principles

We support the University of Reading’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy.

We are committed to:

  • supporting and adhering to University Sustainability Services strategy via our ways of working and through our service provision.
  • reviewing systems, services and facilities regularly, exploring ways of improving sustainability wherever possible.
  • utilising nationally negotiated purchasing schemes and frameworks for cost effective acquisition of resources.
  • participating in reciprocal inter-lending schemes with other libraries (national and international) assuring sustainable access to resources.
  • capturing, preserving and maintaining access to research outputs and data deposits in support of Open Research practices.

What we are doing

  • We signed up to the Green Libraries Manifesto.
  • We offer withdrawn book stock freely to users (where appropriate).
  • We stopped covering our books in plastic.
  • We reuse envelopes and stationery where possible.
  • We recycle many different materials including paper, batteries, food, metal.
  • Light motion sensors and LED lights are found throughout the library.
  • We don’t provide paper receipts.
  • We shut the building during University closure days to save on energy.
  • We review stock stored offsite versus onsite to ensure in-demand material is locally held, reducing carbon emissions via transportation.
  • We have a Switch Off policy when leaving an office.
  • We have water fountains throughout the building.
  • We promote services and resources to increase use and value for money.
  • University of Reading theses are no longer stored in hard copy (e-versions only).
  • We are a Committee Member of the M25 Sustainability Group.

How you can help

  • Take care of print library books so they last longer. Each time a print book is borrowed it saves 0.7kg of carbon compared to purchasing the book.
  • Bring your own reusable water bottle. You can refill it at one of our water fountains.
  • Bring your own reusable cup with a lid for hot drinks from the Café.
  • Print only the pages you need. Will a scan do instead? When printing is necessary, please print double sided.
  • Enable power saving settings on your laptop.
  • Switch off laptops / mobile devices when they are not in use.
  • Unplug chargers from the mains socket when devices are fully charged or disconnected.
  • Recycle paper, plastic, cardboard, and drinks cans at the waste points located through the library. Put the waste in the correct bin – please don’t contaminate recycling with wet or unsuitable waste.
  • Measure your carbon footprint.