How you can help

Please help us to keep the Library clean and tidy for all our users. 

Make sure you clear your desk when you leave, ensuring you take all personal belongings with you (laptops, phones, papers and pens etc) and place all rubbish in bins provided.

Mixed recycling – what can and can’t be recycled

The Library works closely with the University's Waste Management team to ensure that as much waste material is recycled as possible. Please make sure you take care when disposing of your rubbish and use the right bin:

Orange bin: dry mixed recycling

Use for any recyclable packaging; including:

• Plastic drinks bottle (empty of any liquid)
• Paper
• Cardboard
• Aluminium and steel drinks cans (empty of any liquid)

Please don't put in anything that has leftover food or drink inside. If the packaging contains food, place in grey general waste bin. Empty all liquids into the liquid bins provided.

Grey bin: general waste (other)

General waste bins should be used for any waste that is not suitable for recycling.

Liquid disposal

Please empty all plastic bottles and drinks containers into the liquid disposal bins provided before placing containers into the orange or grey bin.

The University's Waste Management team provide more information on responsible waste disposal.

Know your bins

Polystyrene, bubble wrap and plastic film

Staff can recycle polystyrene and plastic film. Place any items for recycling into clear bin bags and once full, contact the Waste Management team providing your location, and they will schedule an uplift.

Contact Waste Management team

All polystyrene must be broken down as much as possible. For the larger, more rigid polystyrene boxes, please bag these to allow ease of handling.

Please don’t mix polystyrene with LDPE/HDPE plastics, use separate bags for these. If you’re not sure what type of plastic you have, check the Resin Identification Code (the number within the triangle made of arrows). HDPE is number 2 and LDPE is number 4.

Nitrile gloves

There are now designated nitrile glove recycling bins across Heritage Collections spaces on the 5th and 6th floors of the Main Library and at the University Collections Facility. 

We have centralised our glove purchasing to allow us to participate in the recycling scheme run by Terracycle. We also collaborate with colleagues in the School of Chemistry who have agreed to allow us to take gloves to their larger collection point for recycling.

Please note: heavily soiled gloves or gloves that have been in contact with mould or other contaminants should be placed in the grey waste bins, not the recycling bins.

Planting and biodiversity plans

As part of the Library's commitment to the wider University Regenerative Sustainability Strategy, we are looking at ways in which we can develop our outside spaces. Not only will this improve the overall appearance of the spaces, but, in the longer term, it will contribute to staff and student well being.

We have made a start on creating a green space on the Library Roof Terrace, outside the Heritage Collections Reading Room on the 6th floor of the Main Library. Our planters are already attracting bees and birds, becoming part of the University's 'pollinator corridor,' connecting with other University green spaces close by at the Informatics Forum and the Business School, as well as public spaces, George Square Gardens and The Meadows beyond.

Greenformatics Gardening Club

We have also planted a range of spring bulbs in the small garden space behind the School of Scottish Studies Archive at 29 George Square.

Training

There is a wealth of training available from the University, starting with the self-paced Introduction to Sustainability course before moving on to more specific courses such as Carbon Literacy or Circular Economy training. 

Sustainability training web page