Thread by @LynnTeggart

1. #IconTC #IconESN Hi, I'm a Paper Conservator for Historic Environment Scotland. I’ll be tweeting on the REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE initiatives introduced by the Archive Conservation team at HES @TizzyHepher @EmmaBuchholz3 @HistEnvScot.

2. #IconTC #IconESN This HES hierarchy reminds us to purchase sustainably - can you can borrow, share, hire or lease instead of buying new? Landfill should be the last resort after all reuse and recycling options have been investigated.

3. #IconTC #IconESN REDUCE energy consumption and waste by installing LED lights. In this strong room upgrade fluorescent tubes were swapped with longer life and lower wattage LEDs. Motion detectors and a dimmer switch were added to minimise light, see before/after photos.

4. #IconTC #IconESN REDUCE – energy usage was reduced by turning off air conditioning units in selected strong rooms. Assessment showed that the rooms could maintain their RH and temperature within British Standard recommended levels without the use of air conditioning.

5. #IconTC #IconESN REDUCE – we have been reducing our use of plastic by introducing paper folders instead of polyester ones. This also benefits the Archive as the paper helps to absorb any volatile organic compounds given off by the archive as it ages.

6. #IconTC #IconESN REUSE – HES conservators use unwanted books, paper and media for our emergency preparedness training. We get it wet, get our training participants to practice drying it and use it again for our next training session!

7. #IconTC #IconESN REUSE – instead of buying a whole new shelving and drawer system we incorporated these old but great condition plan chests into a new storage design which meant we bought fewer new materials.

8. #IconTC #IconESN REUSE – we always aim to reuse plastic used for wrapping and protection. For large moves we are investigating hiring or borrowing crates, reusing plastic from other organisations exhibitions, recycling of the plastic and any alternative recyclable material.

9. #IconTC #IconESN REUSE – we’ve given our out of date hard hats, cardboard tubes and work gloves to a children’s play charity, the children play with these in wonderfully inventive ways @EastLothianPlay #loosepartsplay

10. #IconTC #IconESN REUSE - the packaging from our conservation supplies has been reused for art projects at home with the kids, our packaging has been made into lots of wonderful things including a giant rainbow and a Viking ship! #ConservationKids

11. #IconTC #IconESN and if you can’t reuse then - RECYCLE – We are planning to introduce Terracycle Zero Waste Boxes to recycle our ‘hard to recycle items’ like disposable gloves, polythene, Plastazote, bubble wrap and polyester @TerraCycleUK.

12. #IconTC #IconESN If you can’t recycle then buy BIODEGRADABLE - disposable gloves which have been contaminated by mould or chemicals cannot be recycled. These bio-degradable PPE products are now available @turnaroundearth @SHOWAGroup.

13. #IconTC #IconESN That’s a wrap, but not of the plastic kind. We are excited to explore other REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE options in our aim to be a zero-waste conservation studio - wave goodbye to your bin! With thanks to IconESN and for joining me.