Collection: Sustainability Commitment
Inspired by our history, dedicated to our future — we’re committed to sustainability in every chapter of our shop.
We are committed to reducing our carbon impact and collaborating with partners to create a more sustainable future. This commitment, and the actions we will take to meet it, are set out in the British Library’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy.
One part of achieving this commitment is through the sustainability policy for our shops, which applies to our main shop, bookshop, and online.
Aims
Our sustainability strategy sets out a wide range of aims, including;
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continually seek out sustainable suppliers and partners, prioritising reusable or recyclable materials in our supply chains, and
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continually improve areas of the operation, reducing the climate and biodiversity impacts across the whole operation.
Supplier and product selection
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When sourcing products for our ranges, we consider a variety of factors, which include the country of production, materials used, relevance, and cost.
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We are increasing the proportion of sustainable products in our ranges, working with accredited suppliers to reduce our environmental impact. In 2025, we are undertaking a Supplier survey to understand their sustainability certifications and commitments.
Packaging and waste
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We have introduced new policies and are committed to reducing non-recyclable packaging.
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Our performance on reducing waste and increasing recycling is measured and reported annually through our annual report and accounts.
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For online orders, where possible, our Dispatch team reuse packaging from incoming book deliveries. We use paper packing tape, and all new packing materials are made from recycled paper/card.
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The majority of residual waste is cardboard and paper, which are recycled. Non-recyclables go to a combined heat and power plant.
Transport and deliveries
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Our online shop is Carbon Neutral. Using Planet App, we purchase carbon credits to offset shipping emissions through a portfolio of innovative carbon removal projects.
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We aim to purchase from UK suppliers to reduce our carbon footprint. We add ‘Made in the UK’ icons to related products for easy identification.
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We have consolidated sourcing core items to a trusted UK supplier with high sustainability standards, combining shipments to reduce delivery miles.
Promotion and awareness
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We are rolling out icons for ‘Sustainable’, ‘Recycled materials’, and ‘Vegan’ in both onsite and online shops to enable customers to make informed decisions.
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As part of our seasonal refreshes, each year around Green Libraires Week, we will highlight sustainable products in our online shop.
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We will use our newsletter to highlight sustainable products where appropriate.
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Create a ‘Sustainable’ Collection in the ‘Shop by Theme’ Online during Green Libraries Week.
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Roll out Sustainable icons etc., to POS in the main shop.