An electric vehicle charging station is available at the Riverside Library & Cultural Center which is enabled with the Chargepoint interface that allows users to charge their credit cards ($1 per hour) for payment, make reservations, and provide technical support for end users. Set up an account at www.chargepoint.com for easy access to the EV charging station.

We Partner with the Colorado Energy Office, Regional Air Quality Council, The Renewable Energy Initiative, and Northern Colorado Clean Cities to reduce our dependence on oil, improve air quality, and expand the electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

More information on electric vehicles can be found at the following links:

Alternative Fuels Data Center

Charge Ahead Colorado

Our facilities are environmentally responsible and resource efficient in design, construction, operation, maintenance, and renovation. A multi-branch project to reduce energy consumption and improve occupant comfort resulted in a reduction of more than 1.2 million pounds of CO2 emissions which is the equivalent of removing 115 cars from our roads or powering 50 homes for a year. Click here to see the highlights from our Energy Performance project.

Our buildings are cleaned using green products in order to reduce exposure of building occupants and maintenance personnel to potentially hazardous chemicals, biological and particulate contaminants, which adversely affect air quality, human health, building finishes, building systems and the environment.

Riverside Library & Cultural Center is LEED Gold certified and is partially powered by renewable energy. Click here to learn more about LEED Certification.

We partner with McKinstry , Renewable Choice, and the Colorado Energy Office to help reduce the environmental impact and energy consumption inherent in operating commercial buildings.

Carbon Valley Regional Library has “expanded” the library to include a nature trail and an outdoor classroom. With the help of Encana, the Town of Firestone, Longmont & Boulder Valley Conservation Districts, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, local Eagle Scouts, boy and girl scouts and patron volunteers, we are:

• reestablishing the native grasses,
• planting more pollinators, milkweed and sunflowers,
• planting trees for shade and enjoyment,
• developing a primitive ampitheater for outdoor programming,
• constructing picnic tables and benches,
• weaving a trail throughout the property,
• developing educational signage and backpacks, and
• planning educational programs.

High Plains Library District started accepting batteries thanks to a partnership with an organization that was picking up the batteries that we collected.  However, the company that made this happen is no longer providing the service.

Why don’t we take on the recycling ourselves?

The process for recycling batteries requires time to sort and separate batteries as well as pick up from several locations, then drop off at a hazardous waste facility. In addition to the cost of staff time, there is also a cost (approximately $1000/year) associated with recycling batteries that have not been separated.

More Information about Alkaline batteries:

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/household-batteries

• Alkaline batteries manufactured in the United States no longer contain mercury.
  • These batteries can be disposed of in the regular trash.
• Batteries often still have some charge left when disposed.
  • Place a piece of tape securely over each terminal end of the alkaline battery before placing it in the trash, or place individual batteries in a strong plastic zip-top bag before placing in the trash.

Since we are no longer a pick-up point for the batteries, we now have a list of other places that accept the batteries. Click here to view a list of battery recycling locations.

As a part of normal operations, we recycle internal waste such as paper, cardboard, books, aluminum, and organic waste. We recycle over 18 tons of materials each year. We serve as a household recycling collection point in concert with Weld County and partner with Green Girl Recycling and Common Good Composting. More about Green Girl’s single stream recycling can be found by watching this video:

Employees with an interest in environmental sustainability are encouraged to be part of the High Plains Library District’s Green Team. The Green Team meets regularly to discuss and implement ideas that support the Sustainability Statement. Because the Green Team is internally driven, we are able to realize green initiatives that matter to our employees.

Sometimes it’s the small things that have a big impact on our environment. We understand that even small initiatives can make a big difference, so we also provide the public with a way to recycle household batteries and books. Our libraries also feature bicycle repair stations to encourage using an alternative mode of transportation to our locations.

Have a green idea or suggestion?

Please send an email to the Green Team.