By Zoya Naqvi and Alex Bakirdan
Eight public libraries are close to to achieving Green Business Certification after the Lindenhurst Memorial Library became the first on Long Island and third in the state to be certified.
The certification, which is given by Green Business Partnership, is a way for libraries to reduce their environmental impact in the community. During the first phase of the two-part program, libraries focus on becoming sustainable in all aspects from recycling books to adding a garden.
“People want to go to businesses and places that are more sustainable,” Ethan Kravitz, director of membership at Green Business Partnership, said.
To become certified, each library must undergo strict changes in seven different categories — commitment, energy, waste and recycling, green purchasing, transportation, land use, and water. The nonprofit monitors their progress using an online dashboard.
Within one year, the Lindenhurst library board recycled furniture and 40,000 books, reduced electricity use by 30 percent, cut down 60 percent of plastic and cardboard waste, and prevented pollution by carpooling or walking to work.
“It’s not unique to them [libraries] that they’re recycling books, but now they have to say how many and how often,” Roger Reyes, assistant director of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System, said. “Other things they weren’t doing before are now put on paper and indoctrinating how they do certain things.”
Over the past few years, the words “green marketing” lead to more than a million hits on Google, according to the International Federation of Library Associations
The Suffolk Cooperative Library System runs the second part of the program, focused on improving social services like accepting passport applications and providing free internet connections. Throughout March, staff members from Lindenhurst will host events that educate residents about environmental friendly changes.
The events cover a range of topics, from fixing leaky faucets that waste water to cutting down the emission of greenhouse gasses by avoiding plastic-packaged meat. They will also create a prom pop-up shop where teens can get recycled suits and dresses for free.
“We’re going to do discussions that give people ways where they can reduce their carbon footprint in the community,” Lisa Kropp, Lindenhurst library director, said. “It’s like this trickle effect of more and more people getting involved.”
For some libraries, completing social goals depends on their size and location.
Shelter Island Public Library, one of the eight volunteers, has nine full-time employees and serves a community of 2,500 people, whereas Brentwood Public Library has 90 full-time employees and serves a community of 100,000.
“It’s not one size fits all,” Reyes said. “Some of them can do one thing better than the others, but over the years you work together to get those things done.”
The South Huntington Public Library has created a strict environmental policy to ban staff from using paper, plastic utensils, cleaning products, disposable cups and paper.
For libraries, sustainability is threefold, Janet Scherer, Director of South Huntington, said.
“It [the policy] includes the environmental piece, but we also strive to be socially equitable and economically sound,” Scherer said.
Alex Bakirdan Media 