When You First Walk into the Library…
As a student, the Library might feel like just another study space—quiet corners, comfy chairs, bright lights, and endless books. But look a little closer: HKUST Library has been quietly caring for the planet for decades, through small, practical choices made every day.
Old Chairs, New Stories
That chair you’re sitting on? Instead of discarding wooden chairs and sofas when they look worn and dirty —or when the fabric tears—the Library gives them a second life through reupholstery and repair. With an economical vendor on board, more furniture stays in use and less ends up in landfill. So far, we’ve refreshed 3,000+ chairs and sofas.
A Summer Check That Saves Chairs
Every summer, Library staff checks task chairs (the ones with wheels) piece by piece. Parts that still work, like wheels and gas lifts, are kept and reassembled into “new” chairs, so more seats stay in service for the next study season.
Bright Lights That Save Energy
Ever noticed how the Library feels bright but easy on the eyes? Since 2017, the Campus Management Office (CMO) has helped us replace all fluorescent tubes with energy-saving LED lights. LEDs use less electricity and last longer, and in the compact shelving area, the lights turn on only when the shelves move. Through this effort, we have upgraded more than 5,500 tubes across the Library building.
At the same time, you may have noticed that we installed timers in washrooms, back staircases, and group study rooms. Motion sensors dim or switch off the lights when there is no movement for 20 minutes and turn them back on when activity is detected. It is a simple way to save energy in areas with lighter foot traffic, without affecting the user experience.
Fluorescent tubes removed
LED lights installed
Carpets That Don’t All Change at Once
Renovations don’t always mean replacing everything. When parts of the Library were updated, e.g. in the 2021 carrel replacement exercise, only the carpet areas affected by new study carrels were replaced. By mixing patterns and staggering replacements, we reduced waste. At the same time, we arranged with the carpet company to send the old carpets to NGOs for reuse instead of going to landfill.
Even Wooden Carts Get a Second Chance
Some furniture outgrows its original role—but that doesn’t mean it’s useless. Wooden book trucks and carts were trimmed into triangular supports to stabilise tables, with help from CMO.
Anti-Glare Film on Glass Windows
To cut air-conditioning load, we added anti-glare film to the Library’s glass windows. It blocks UV (helping protect collections) and keeps indoor temperatures lower—so we use less electricity to stay cool.
Responsible Disposal of Old PCs (WEEE)
When PCs or monitors reach end-of-life, the Library works with the University’s Purchasing Office to arrange collection by an licensed recycler under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) scheme, so the equipment is handled safely and in line with legal requirements. Sometimes we also asked if other departments would like to adopt them.
Efficient Use of Book Shelving
Space matters. When a sister university library in Hong Kong removed compact shelving, HKUST Library obtained and installed it in LG3 at a very low fee. It replaced standard shelves and doubled book capacity in the same footprint, freeing up more room for study and keeping usable materials out of landfill.
(You can find more examples like this in our Library Stories.)
Old Books, New Homes
Every time we weed the collection, we try to ensure that our books do not simply go to waste. Over the past 35 years, we held 7 withdrawn book sales, offering a mix of long-unused titles (e.g. no transaction over 10 years) and duplicate copies removed from the shelves to members of the HKUST community.
At just HKD10 per book, many of these titles have found a second life in offices, student dorm rooms, and home libraries. Occasionally, we also put out reusable stationery, such as binders and magazine boxes, free of charge. It is a simple way to keep materials in circulation, while the proceeds help us acquire new Library resources for the community. In most of these book sales, we were able to sell 60–70% of the books, while the remainder was sent to a paper recycling company.
A Greener Library, One Small Step at a Time
Sustainability at HKUST Library isn’t about big slogans. It’s about small, practical choices—reusing, repairing, and saving energy wherever we can. These are just a few examples you might spot when you look around.
Next time you study here, take a quick look around—the Library is supporting your learning and a more sustainable campus, one smart choice at a time.
Clara Kwan
Head (Administrative Services)
lbclara@ust.hk
