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Leaving Green Libraries Behind (04 of 10)

Token Sustainability

The Limits of Solar Panels and Recycling in Libraries

 

This note is part of a series that challenges the status quo of "green libraries," exposing greenwashing and tokenism, and exploring viable alternatives, such as minimalism, degrowth, upcycling, and "slow libraries." Check all the notes in this section's index.

 

Introduction

In the pursuit of appearing eco-friendly, many libraries proudly display solar panels on their roofs and scatter recycling bins throughout their spaces.

These visible signs of environmental responsibility have become standard in the narrative of the so-called "green library." At first glance, these gestures seem commendable, signaling a shift toward sustainability. But beneath the polished surface, the impact of these efforts is far more limited —and far less effective— than it appears.

Solar panels and recycling programs, while offering some benefits, often serve as convenient distractions from the deeper, systemic issues driving environmental degradation. They allow libraries to project an image of progressiveness without confronting the uncomfortable realities of overconsumption, resource extraction, and wasteful operational models.

The hard truth is that libraries, like many institutions, are clinging to token gestures while avoiding the kind of radical change that true sustainability demands.

 

The Hidden Costs of Solar Panels

Solar energy is widely seen as a clean, renewable solution to reduce carbon footprints. Libraries that install solar panels often showcase them as tangible proof of their environmental commitment.

Yet this solution is not as green as it seems.

The production of solar panels involves mining rare minerals like silver and cadmium. This extraction process is not only energy-intensive but also deeply destructive, often harming ecosystems and displacing communities in the Global South. The environmental and social consequences of mining for solar panel materials are frequently ignored in favor of a feel-good narrative about clean energy.

Even after installation, solar panels present another issue: they don't last forever. With a lifespan of roughly 25 to 30 years, solar panels inevitably become waste. Their complex composition makes them difficult to recycle, and without proper disposal systems in place, discarded panels contribute to the growing problem of electronic waste. This looming crisis contradicts the very narrative of sustainability that solar energy is supposed to embody.

Additionally, the energy payback period —the time it takes for a solar panel to generate enough energy to offset the energy used in its production— can span several years. This means that the environmental "cost" of producing and installing solar panels is far from negligible, especially when libraries adopt them without examining their full lifecycle impact.

 

Recycling: A Convenient but Incomplete Solution

Recycling is one of the most celebrated and visible sustainability practices in libraries. Bins labeled for paper, plastics, and electronics give patrons the sense that the library is actively participating in environmental conservation. However, the effectiveness of recycling is often overstated and misunderstood.

In reality, only a small percentage of recyclable materials are actually processed and reused. Much of the waste collected for recycling is either too contaminated to be processed or is exported to countries with weaker environmental regulations, where it may still end up in landfills or waterways. The mere presence of recycling bins offers a comforting illusion of environmental responsibility but fails to address the larger issue of consumption.

The heart of the problem is not waste management but the volume of waste produced in the first place. Libraries, like many institutions, continue to engage in cycles of overconsumption — regularly purchasing new technology, furniture, and materials without fully considering the environmental toll. Recycling, in this context, becomes a way to feel responsible without questioning the deeper consumption habits that drive waste production.

Furthermore, the global recycling system disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities. Wealthier nations, including those in the Global North, often export their waste to poorer countries in the Global South, where lax environmental protections result in severe health risks and environmental harm for local populations. This dynamic mirrors the same extractive systems that sustain carbon offsetting schemes, where the Global South is once again burdened with the consequences of the Global North's overconsumption.

 

The Illusion of "Green" Libraries

Solar panels and recycling bins create a comforting illusion of progress. They are easy to implement, highly visible, and offer a ready-made marketing narrative. Yet, they often serve as distractions from the more challenging conversations about how libraries consume resources and contribute to environmental degradation.

Libraries continue to prioritize expansion, constructing new buildings rather than retrofitting existing spaces. These construction projects come with high environmental costs, including resource extraction, energy use, and waste generation. Meanwhile, digital infrastructures —cloud storage, servers, and digital access systems— consume enormous amounts of energy, much of it powered by fossil fuels. This hidden environmental cost is rarely acknowledged in discussions about library sustainability.

There is also the issue of consumerism in collection development and programming. Libraries routinely discard books, furniture, and outdated technology to make room for new acquisitions. This cycle reinforces wasteful consumption and contradicts the sustainability values libraries claim to uphold.

These are not minor issues. They represent significant blind spots in how libraries approach sustainability. Without addressing these systemic problems, libraries will continue to cling to superficial solutions while avoiding the deeper changes necessary for genuine ecological responsibility.

 

Moving Toward Real Solutions

If libraries are serious about leading in sustainability, they must move beyond the comfort of token gestures and confront the root causes of their environmental impact — and inform about them. This requires a fundamental shift in how libraries think about growth, consumption, and responsibility.

Instead of constantly expanding, libraries need to rethink how they use existing spaces. Repurposing and retrofitting current buildings can significantly reduce the environmental costs associated with new construction. This approach not only conserves resources but also challenges the culture of endless growth that drives much of the environmental crisis.

Libraries must also reconsider their purchasing practices. Prioritizing ethical sourcing, choosing durable and repairable equipment, and reducing unnecessary acquisitions can drastically cut down on waste. Adopting circular economy principles —where materials are reused, repaired, and repurposed rather than discarded— can make sustainability a core part of library operations.

Additionally, libraries have an opportunity to lead by example through community engagement. Hosting repair cafés, sustainability workshops, and programs that encourage reuse over replacement can help foster a culture of environmental responsibility within the community. By aligning their programming with their sustainability goals, libraries can become hubs of ecological awareness and action.

True leadership in sustainability means addressing the uncomfortable realities of consumption and waste. It requires libraries to stop hiding behind feel-good gestures and start engaging in systemic change.

 

Conclusion: Breaking Free from Token Sustainability

Solar panels and recycling bins are not enough. These measures, while helpful in limited ways, cannot substitute for the deep, systemic change required to confront the climate crisis. They allow libraries to look sustainable without making the hard decisions necessary for real environmental responsibility.

If libraries want to be true leaders in sustainability, they must be willing to confront their own role in overconsumption and environmental harm. This means challenging the status quo, rejecting superficial solutions, and embracing radical, transformative change.

The time for half-measures is over. Libraries must move beyond token sustainability and commit to meaningful action — not just for appearances, but for the future of our planet.

 

Readings

 

About the post

Text: Edgardo Civallero.
Date: 07.02.2024.
Image: "Carbon Offsetts vs. Carbon Credits" In BECIS [Link].