In an effort to become a more sustainable institution, staff members at the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library have formed a Green Committee in order to seek out and share ways in which we can reduce the environmental impact of our daily work routines.
I love the green marble. One of the urban myths surrounding the Beinecke’s construction was that Gordon Bunshaft wanted those octagons to be made out of green onyx.
The phrase “Greening of the Beinecke” immediately brought to my mind the famous book “Greening of America” (Charles Reich, 1970). I’m wondering how many others are old enough to have been excited by that book when it first came out. Greening meant something a little different there!
Apologies for appearing draconian, but when washing hands how about turning off the water after soaping your hands, heep it off while lathering them, and then turn the water on again to rinse your hands off. Use just two of the browm paper towels to dry off.
And how about using those two paper towels to absorb some of the water on the sink counter after you dry your hands? Standing water has already taken the shine off the marble in some places.
I’ve noticed that occasionally in the lounge the tap is left running for quite a while! when it could be shut off. I thought I would provide the following link referring to the need for water conservation (although there are plenty of other sites that refer to this as well).
Maybe we, as a committee, can come up with a top-ten list for the bulletin board in the lounge listing more eco-friendly practices?
http://epa.gov/watersense/basic/why_need.htm
An interesting page on “Going Green” online today, on wtnh.com.
http://www.wtnh.com/Global/category.asp?C=133182