The average American throws away more than four pounds of garbage each day. That's a lot of pill bottles and pickle jars that could end up in a landfill.
But thanks to a partnership with our local waste prevention program, North Olympic Library System gave new life to cast-off trash and got people thinking about how they can reduce waste.
Being eco-friendly has taken center stage in recent years. Many library users want to make more sustainable choices but may lack the knowledge of how to do so. Programs focused on "going green" are a fun, accessible way for patrons to celebrate Earth Day, and they can also be an easy lift for a busy librarian. Below are eight eco-friendly program ideas that you can use to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with hardly any prep work at all.
Inspired by the book "Cat Castles: 20 Cardboard Habitats You Can Build Yourself" by Carin Oliver, we invited customers to use their creativity and build a cardboard house for their cat or small pet.
If you have even the tiniest interest in crafting or DIY, you've probably heard the word "upcycling." Unlike recycling, which breaks down materials to be remade into a new product, upcycling maintains the original item but refashions it for a different (and valuable) use.
Some examples of upcycled items include drinking glasses made from wine bottles or baskets woven from plastic shopping bags. Upcycling items is a great way to go green. It keeps materials out of the trash and doesn’t require the energy recycling does.
