International Day of Zero Waste: How libraries can promote this year's theme

Each March 30, the UN highlights the importance of waste management globally through the observance of the International Day of Zero Waste. This year's theme is "Towards zero waste in fashion and textiles". On the surface this might not seem relevant to libraries, but one of the day's chief aims — "to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns to address the waste pollution crisis" — is actually a perfect fit for the ideals of the public library.

After all, libraries themselves embody sustainability by enabling resource sharing. Patrons borrow books, magazines, DVDs and a wide array of other resources, use them, and return them for others to enjoy. This model reduces material consumption, minimizes waste and promotes energy efficiency through reuse.

Many libraries also provide access to platforms like PressReader, which reduces paper waste by empowering curious minds to read content from thousands of newspapers and magazines from around the world in a digital format.

Fashion and textiles take a toll on the planet

Before we explore what libraries can do to support sustainable practices that reduce textile waste, let's set the scene with a few key statistics.

• According to sources cited by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), clothing production had doubled between 2000 and 2015.

• Each year, an estimated 92 million tonnes of textile waste is generated worldwide — that's equivalent to a truckload of clothing being incinerated or sent to landfills every second.

• Each year the textile sector produces between 2% and 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and it uses 215 trillion liters of water, the equivalent of 86 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Mitigating fast fashion's impact

According to Greenpeace, fast fashion thrives on overproduction, with retailers constantly releasing new designs and fueling a culture of overconsumption. But once trends fade, millions of garments are discarded, often ending up in landfills or incinerators, causing significant environmental harm.

The good news is that consumer demand for ethical apparel is trending upward amid a growing backlash against fast fashion. To meet this demand, some brands have begun to pivot to seasonless fashion to reduce waste. According to figures cited by the UNEP, doubling the number of times a garment is worn would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44%.

What can public libraries do?

Educating communities on sustainable fashion

Public libraries can play a key role in raising awareness about the ecological impact of fashion and encouraging more sustainable practices. Hosting workshops and talks with experts on fashion design, textile waste and ethical shopping can help patrons understand how their clothing choices affect the planet.

Libraries can also screen documentaries like The True Cost and RiverBlue, followed by discussions on reducing waste through mindful consumption. Book displays and reading lists on sustainable fashion, clothing repair and upcycling can further educate the community.

Hosting an Environmentalist in Residence

A great example of this educational approach was seen in the UK, where textile arts practitioner, lecturer and arts educator Clare Sams served as Suffolk Libraries’ first Environmentalist in Residence from November 2023 to April 2024. Sams led workshops, hosted informative sessions and engaged library communities in discussions about the urgent need for environmental protection and sustainability.

A key part of her mission was to help patrons develop skills in mending and creative upcycling, empowering them to extend the life of their clothes and reduce household textile waste.

Reflecting on her time in the role, Sams wrote:

Throughout my residency I became aware of the unique nature of the spaces offered by Suffolk Libraries to local communities. As a place of learning, they were an invaluable space to discuss the environmental impact of fashion and textiles. Most importantly the libraries serve as safe spaces which offer a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone in the community.

Encouraging circular fashion through community engagement

Engaging the community through hands-on activities makes sustainable fashion practices more accessible. A few examples:

• Organizing clothing swap events encourages collaborative consumption, allowing patrons to refresh their wardrobes without buying new.

• Repair and upcycling workshops — such as those led by Sams — teach essential skills like sewing and mending, empowering individuals to extend the life of their clothes.

• Sustainable fashion challenges can motivate patrons to adopt habits like shopping second-hand and repairing garments.

The Clothing Library: A model for borrowing fashion

A great example of collaborative consumption in action is the Clothing Library, based in New Hampshire. The organization has curated a collection of 1,500 pieces of “occasion wear”, the types of things people might buy for the purpose of wearing once: a Christmas party dress, a wedding outfit, a ski trip ensemble.

The Clothing Library brings its collection to local public library branches, where members of the public can sign up for a membership card and borrow clothes at no cost for two weeks. The Clothing Library launched in 2023 with a well-attended fashion show at Dover Public Library, and has been such a success that its founder, Stella McShera, has since hosted info sessions for people looking to start similar initiatives in their own communities.

According to its website, the Clothing Library’s vision “is to normalize borrowing behavior by implementing an ecosystem for re-circulating clothing locally to transform how fashion is consumed globally.” This model not only reduces waste but also promotes a shift toward a circular economy by making clothing reuse as commonplace as borrowing books.

Providing resources for sustainable fashion practices

Public libraries can further support sustainable fashion efforts by providing practical resources. Lending sewing machines and repair kits encourages collaborative consumption, giving patrons access to tools they may not own.

Libraries can also foster community engagement through DIY fashion and sewing clubs, where members can share techniques and inspiration for upcycling and sustainable fashion design. Digital and print guides on mindful shopping, apparel care and textile recycling within a circular economy framework can help patrons make informed choices about their wardrobes.

By championing these initiatives, libraries can serve as vital community spaces for learning, sharing and taking action toward more responsible fashion practices. Whether through skills-based workshops like those led by Clare Sams, lending programs like the Clothing Library or other sustainability-driven efforts, libraries can play a powerful role in shifting how fashion is consumed and valued.

Digital tools reduce paper waste

Embracing digital tools like PressReader supports the ideals of the International Day of Zero Waste by reducing paper consumption and minimizing waste. By providing searchable, up-to-date editorial content from around the world in a digital format, libraries can significantly lower their environmental footprint while maintaining broad access to quality journalism.

With over 7,000 newspapers and periodicals available on library computers or patrons' own devices, PressReader enhances library offerings without contributing to excess paper waste. This shift toward digital access aligns with zero waste principles, ensuring that libraries can provide a wealth of information in a way that is both sustainable and accessible for all.