Being green
The Library of Birmingham supports environmental sustainability through its design, construction and day-to-day operations.
Sustainable construction
The building was designed to minimise its impact on the environment.
- 95% of waste from the construction site was recycled
- Low carbon technology is used for heating and cooling
- Low energy lighting reduces energy use
- Water conservation systems help limit waste
The brown roof is covered with rubble from the library's construction. This creates a natural habitat for wildlife in the city centre.
Recycling inside the library
The library recycles paper, plastic and other used materials.
You can use the recycling bins inside the building.
Garden terraces
The library has 2 elevated outdoor spaces:
- the Discovery terrace on level 3
- the Secret Garden on level 7
Both terraces provide green spaces with a variety of plants that offer colour and interest throughout the year.
The Discovery terrace includes fruit, vegetables and herbs to support learning about food and encourage grow your own activity.
The terraces are open Monday to Saturday from 11:00am to 3:00pm. They are closed outside these hours for maintenance.
Travel and sustainability
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint when visiting, the library is well-served by public transport.
Environmental standards
The Library of Birmingham was awarded BREEAM Excellent status in 2013.
BREEAM is the national standard used to measure the environmental sustainability of new buildings.
Download the BREEAM case study.
Page last updated: 13 February 2026
