Our Commitment to Improving Sustainability
The Little Museum of Dublin is a museum of people, stories and place. We believe that caring for Dublin also means caring for the environment we share. Our approach to sustainability is practical, steady and measurable: small changes, made consistently, reviewed regularly, and improved over time.
We carry out a sustainability audit every six months to record progress, identify gaps and make sure that environmental stewardship becomes part of the museum’s everyday work.
What we are already doing
Reducing energy use
Our galleries use LED and energy-efficient lighting, and our procurement policy now prioritises LED-only replacements wherever possible. Non-public areas are controlled by motion sensors, and the building is powered down at the end of each day through a clear “Last Person Out” checklist. Computers and printers enter low-power mode after 15 minutes of inactivity.
As a heritage building, the museum requires careful management. We carry out seasonal checks on windows, doors and seals, and have installed draught excluders on heritage external doors to reduce heat loss while respecting the character of the building.
Reusing exhibition materials
We are committed to a circular approach to exhibitions. Display plinths are designed and stored for reuse, frames and mounting materials are carefully recovered after exhibitions, and exhibition hardware is cleaned and inventoried for future rotations.
Where possible, we use low-VOC or water-based paints, FSC- or PEFC-certified timber, and salvaged materials from previous builds. We now plan major exhibition changes on a longer cycle, helping us reduce waste and give materials a longer working life.
Buying more responsibly
We prioritise durable, high-quality shop stock over disposable souvenirs, and use FSC-recycled paper bags at point of sale. Office stationery is restricted to recycled or FSC-certified stock, and staff are encouraged to use digital filing and online documents wherever possible.
We are also working to increase the proportion of suppliers based in Dublin and the wider region, supporting local makers and reducing transport emissions where we can.
Cutting waste
Staff areas have clearly labelled bins for glass, dry recyclables and general waste. Digital ticketing is our primary booking method, helping to reduce paper waste. Visitors are encouraged to show tickets on mobile devices, with printed tickets and receipts provided only on request.
All decommissioned electronics, batteries and bulbs are disposed of through authorised WEEE recycling channels.
Encouraging low-carbon visits
Our “Plan Your Visit” information highlights public transport and walking routes to the museum, including Dublin Bus, Luas and DART options. We want visitors to experience Dublin as a living city, not just a destination, and to value its streets, stories, people and shared public life.
What we are working on next
Sustainability is not a finished project. It is a habit.
Our next priorities include reviewing the cleaning products used on site, continuing to expand our network of Dublin-based suppliers, and exploring practical ways to improve waste separation within the limits of our building.
We are also making our sustainability work more visible to visitors, beginning with this public commitment. Many of our environmental practices already happen behind the scenes. Our aim now is to share them more clearly, improve them regularly, and remain honest about the work still to be done.