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Leaving Green Libraries Behind (07 of 10)

Upcycling Over Recycling

Reimagining Library Resources and Spaces

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

Recycling has long been heralded as a key pillar of environmental responsibility, but in reality, it often serves as a feel-good measure that does little to challenge the culture of waste.

While recycling still has its place, it is an inadequate solution to the systemic problem of overconsumption. The production, transportation, and processing of recyclable materials still require enormous amounts of energy, and in many cases, recycled products are of lower quality and limited reusability. Libraries, like many other institutions, have fallen into the trap of viewing recycling as a sufficient step toward sustainability, without addressing the deeper need to rethink resource use at its core.

Upcycling presents a radical alternative — one that goes beyond merely processing waste and instead transforms discarded materials into something of equal or greater value. Unlike recycling, which often degrades materials and continues to feed into the linear model of consumption, upcycling disrupts this system by repurposing resources in innovative and creative ways.

For libraries, this shift from passive waste management to active resource reinvention has profound implications. From repurposing old books and furniture to creatively transforming disused spaces, upcycling can provide libraries with an opportunity to rethink sustainability and challenge the status quo of their operations.

Upcycling vs. Recycling: Why It Matters

The problem with recycling is that it maintains the illusion that consumption can continue indefinitely, as long as we "dispose of things properly." In reality, many recycled materials are downgraded in quality and cannot be reused indefinitely. Paper fibers shorten, plastics degrade, and electronics often contain components that are difficult —if not impossible— to recycle. Worse still, much of what is labeled as "recyclable" never actually gets processed due to logistical inefficiencies, contamination, or lack of market demand.

Upcycling, on the other hand, disrupts this cycle by reimagining waste as a resource rather than a byproduct. It is about creative reinvention rather than just breaking materials down for lower-quality reuse. In libraries, this means rethinking how we deal with outdated books, obsolete technology, discarded furniture, and even physical spaces. A broken chair isn't waste — it's a potential art installation or new piece of furniture. Outdated books aren't trash — they can be turned into sculptures, furniture, or insulation material. Discarded electronic components can be repurposed for interactive library displays or makerspace projects.

By shifting from recycling to upcycling, libraries can challenge the extractive logic that dominates environmental discussions and demonstrate a more engaged, hands-on approach to sustainability. Instead of merely "disposing of waste responsibly," libraries can actively transform it into something new and valuable.

Case Studies: Upcycling in Action

Across the world, forward-thinking libraries and cultural institutions are beginning to embrace upcycling as a meaningful alternative to wasteful practices.

The Austin Public Library exemplifies this shift through its Recycled Reads program, which repurposes withdrawn books and materials into affordable resources for the community. Instead of discarding outdated or damaged items, the initiative transforms them into new products, ensuring that library materials continue to serve a purpose beyond their traditional lifespan. Similarly, the Massillon Public Library has incorporated upcycling into its programming by hosting workshops that teach patrons how to creatively transform everyday items into functional or decorative objects. These hands-on sessions empower the community with sustainable crafting skills while fostering environmental awareness.

The concept of upcycling also extends beyond individual libraries to broader community efforts. The Little Free Library movement has encouraged the use of upcycled materials to construct book-sharing boxes, turning discarded wood and other materials into accessible community spaces for literacy exchange. Many libraries have also found creative ways to upcycle old books and furniture, transforming discarded items into bookshelves, reading nooks, or even entire pieces of functional art. This approach not only minimizes waste but also reinforces the idea that sustainability is not just about responsible disposal — it’s about reimagining resources in ways that benefit both the environment and the community.

Practical Steps for Libraries to Implement Upcycling

For libraries looking to move beyond the greenwashing of recycling programs and embrace upcycling as a more radical, sustainable approach, a fundamental shift in mindset is required. The most obvious place to begin is with the materials that libraries handle daily — books. Instead of discarding outdated or damaged copies, libraries can collaborate with artists, educators, and community groups to transform them into new creations. Worn-out pages can find a second life in bookbinding workshops, origami sessions, or artistic installations. Old encyclopedias, frequently discarded in bulk, can be repurposed into decorative furniture or archival exhibits that reflect a library's history while reducing waste.

Furniture and equipment present another major opportunity. Many libraries replace chairs, tables, and shelves without considering the potential for repurposing. Rather than disposing of broken chairs, they can be reassembled into new seating arrangements or decorative features. Shelving can be converted into unique reading nooks, and outdated desks can be transformed into mobile workstations. Engaging local craftspeople or volunteers to help with these projects not only reduces waste but also strengthens community involvement and ownership over shared spaces.

Technology and electronics, often seen as disposable due to rapid obsolescence, can also be reimagined through upcycling. Outdated computers, printers, and audiovisual equipment can be disassembled for parts and integrated into innovative community projects. Salvaged components can be used in DIY makerspaces, interactive library exhibits, or even repurposed into functional tech for continued use. Collaborating with tech enthusiasts and hackerspaces allows libraries to extend the lifespan of electronic materials while encouraging creative problem-solving.

Beyond individual objects, entire library spaces can be upcycled rather than renovated or abandoned. Underutilized corners of a library can be transformed into community hubs using salvaged materials to create seating areas, study zones, or multipurpose event spaces. Walls can be reimagined as green walls with repurposed wood and planters, introducing small, functional ecosystems that improve air quality while reinforcing sustainability principles.

Upcycling also thrives in the hands of the community. By hosting workshops on furniture repair, textile upcycling, and digital device restoration, libraries can provide patrons with the knowledge and skills to embrace reuse in their own lives. These initiatives go beyond reducing waste — they redefine the library as an active space for ecological and creative reinvention. Rather than reinforcing a culture of planned obsolescence, libraries can become catalysts for a movement that values ingenuity over disposability.

Rethinking Waste in Libraries

For too long, libraries —like many other institutions— have embraced recycling as a quick and easy sustainability fix while ignoring its limitations. While recycling has its place, it fails to address the deeper systemic issues of overconsumption and waste. Upcycling, by contrast, offers a more radical and creative alternative that not only reduces environmental impact but also transforms waste into opportunity.

By incorporating upcycling initiatives, libraries can challenge extractive, throwaway culture and demonstrate that sustainability is about more than just managing waste — it is about reimagining how resources are used, valued, and shared. Instead of perpetuating the myth that we can consume without consequence, libraries have the power to model a new way forward: one where materials are continuously repurposed, where sustainability is integrated into every aspect of library operations, and where creativity drives ecological transformation.

True sustainability is not about throwing things away more efficiently — it's about questioning why we throw them away at all.

About the post

Text: Edgardo Civallero.
Date: 07.03.2024.
Image: "¿Cuál es la diferencia entre upcycling y recycling?". In Lucirmás [Link].