Blackburn library honoured for waste diversion
Posted Jan 29, 2010 By Anil Jhalli
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EMC News - One east end library was recently honoured by the City of Ottawa for its environmental initiatives. 
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Staff at the Blackburn Hamlet branch of the Ottawa Public Library were honoured with a Waste Diversion Achievement Award by the City of Ottawa last week.
The Blackburn Hamlet location of the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) was one of four branches across the city to receive a Waste Diversion Achievement Award in a ceremony on January 18.
The other three branches honoured were Rosemount, Metcalfe and Centennial.
"Sometimes, the smaller branches don't get a lot of attention," said Tony Westenbroek, manager of the Blackburn Hamlet branch. "It's nice to be recognized."
In 2009, the east end library recycled 70 per cent of its waste which was diverted from landfills.
The waste collected at OPL branches is mainly composed of paper waste, but also includes plastic material waste used by visitors and staff.
"A lot of what we do is recycle books," said the branch manager. "They can be well loved and well read, but they are at the point where they are beyond using."
Westenbroek said the library has received a lot of support from the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA) and its in branch book store.
If the books are good enough to use again, then they will go to the bookstore, he added. He also said with the support of FOPLA, the branch has received a lot of new equipment.
"We don't have a big team here," said Westenbroek. "We are doing a lot of the little things to be more environmentally friendly."
In April of 2009, Ottawa city council approved a strategy called Diversion 2015, which was to build a plan to address waste diversion in its own facilities. The goals of the project are to reduce the total quantity of waste, maximize the amount and material diverted from landfill sites in an effort to move closer to a 60 per cent diversion rate.
The 2009 audit that captured these results was the first time city facilities were monitored as part of the project. The four branches were the first recipients of the Waste Diversion Achievement Award.
"The actions of library patrons and staff at these facilities have made a difference," said Dixon Weir, general manager of environmental services for the city. "Every piece of waste we can divert, helps extend the life of our local landfills."
One of the key strategic directions of the OPL is to demonstrate the environmental leadership in the design and maintenance of its different branches.
"Making sure that our existing buildings are recycle friendly is a way we can play a part in taking care of the environment," said Barbara Clubb, city librarian.
