RECYCLING & PURCHASING POLICY
In an effort to reduce solid waste volume and disposal costs, make more efficient use of our natural resources, create markets for the recycled materials, conserve energy and significantly limit the amount of toxic substances being disposed in the environment, the Board of Library Trustees, in accordance with the Clinton Select Board, would like our town library to serve as a model to the community by committing to purchase products which are environmentally preferable whenever such products meet quality and performance requirements and are available at reasonable prices and terms. Environmentally preferable products include, but are not limited to, products that contain recycled content, are energy efficient, less toxic, reduce packaging, conserve water, are readily biodegradable, and preserve open space. The Clinton Recycle Drop-Off Center and curbside recycle material pick-up service by the Department of Public Works provides our citizens with access to recycling options which has greatly increased our recycling rate. As public sector purchasers, we need to support the recycling process by purchasing products made with recycled material. If we do not purchase recycled products, there is no economic motivation for manufacturers to use the materials that we recycle and enhance the market for these items. To the maximum extent practicable, the following standards should be adhered to by library staff:- For all purchases of printing and writing paper for in-house use or custom printed materials by professional printers, including copier paper, offset paper, forms, stationary, envelopes, tablets, notepads, and file folders, the minimum content standards shall be no less than 30% post-consumer recycled materials to meet the current state and federal minimum standards.
- The Bigelow Library shall ensure that all contracts for printing require the inclusion of an imprint identifying the recycled content of the paper whenever practicable, along with the recycling symbol.
- Consider targeting additional items to be purchased only with recycled and environmentally preferable content, such as, but not limited to, janitorial paper products, cleaning products, paint, remanufactured toner cartridges, office supplies, trash bags, and energy efficient office equipment.
- The library shall implement paper reduction techniques through the use of duplexing, sharing and circulating materials, use of electronic mail and file storage, and reuse of discarded paper for draft work, scrap paper and internal messages.