The library's collection is constantly being renewed and shelf space is limited, meaning that old material has to be removed to make room for new acquisitions. Every year, the Helsinki City Library removes roughly the same number of books as it acquires. In 2025, for example, around 150,000 volumes were removed.
"Some of the books are sold at the library's own book sales or donated to places such as daycare centres, schools and prisons. However, we have not found new uses for all of these books, and in the past, a large proportion of them have ended up as energy waste. Now, thanks to this cooperation, the books removed from the collection can be put to better use," says Kirsi Salminen, head of the Library's Purchasing and Logistics Department.
Removed books continue their journey to new readers or are used as recycled material
As part of the new cooperation model, Finlandia Kirja will collect the books that cannot be used in the library's own operations or in book sales. Books in good condition will be sold in Finlandia Kirja's online shop or donated. Books in poor condition will be efficiently recycled and most of their paper will be used in the production of domestic insulating wool. New uses for the cover material will also be developed.
"Our aim is to reuse as many books as possible and recycle the rest responsibly. About 90% of the books contain fibre-rich paper suitable for the production of insulating wool. The life cycle of insulating wool is several dozen years, during which time the carbon bound in the book paper will remain out of the atmosphere," says Matti Pietilä, managing director of Finlandia Kirja.
The partnership on removed books is part of the library's environmental programme, which sets ambitious targets for the library's environmental work. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of the operations and increase the responsible use of materials.
Week 17 invites residents to get involved in environmental action
The library also contributes to sustainable development by providing opportunities for residents to get involved in environmental activities. In April, libraries will celebrate Week 17, which highlights the UN Sustainable Development Goals and encourages people to make sustainable choices in their everyday lives.
In week 17 on 20–26 April, Helsinki's libraries will be full of environmental events and activities. There will be discussions on the sustainability of clothing and the Baltic Sea, seedling swaps, forest storytelling sessions and a wide range of repair workshops, from mending clothes to bicycle maintenance, among other things.The events have been compiled at
tapahtumat.hel.fi/en.(Link leads to external service)