Simple Ways to Make Your Library's Newsletter Greener Today

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I love newsletters! Always have, always will!

Done right, library newsletters can ignite a patron’s interest in your programs, educate patrons about the remarkable depth and breadth of resources that your library holds in store for them each and every day, and can even help to bring in needed funds and donations.

Right now, there are a handful of libraries that have gone green by completing eliminating hard copy, postal-service-delivered versions of their newsletter in favor of an electronic version. It seems likely that this trend will continue.  

Until the time when all newsletters are digital, I’ve gathered a few simple ways that libraries could make their hard copy issues greener today.

• Limit the number of pages of each issue. If your library’s newsletter has 12 pages, find a way to get it down to 8. If you publish an 8-page newsletter, strive for 4-page issues.
• Start using recycled paper, ideally made with at least 80% recycled content, if you are not already doing so.
• Instead of full-color, publish in black and white or two-color and use the money you save to offset the added expense for quality recycled paper.
• Skip the glossy paper. 
• Get a handle on the number of copies you print of each issue.  If you always seem to have a large surplus leftover of unread newsletters, reduce the quantity that you print each time.    
• Find a printer who embraces green printing practices.  A few examples include
  • investing in equipment that minimizes waste in the printing process.
  • using earth-friendly soy and vegetable-based inks which are low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) known to tax the environment as well as human health.
  • switching to vegetable-oil based, water-soluble washes that are free from VOC-producing petroleum solvents for cleaning their presses.
  • eliminating paper cleaning supplies and replacing them with reusable cloth wipes.
  • recycling solvents to reduce the amount of hazardous waste disposed.

Don’t wait until tomorrow.  Print green today.