The evolving museum: going green in collections management practice and policy

Over the past decade, the Green Trend, defined as the general population demanding environmentally-friendly products and practices, has become a prominent aspect of society. Museums, as cultural institutions tied to their communities, recognize the importance of protecting the environment, and have steadily transitioned into "going "green" on a holistic level. In this thesis, the Green Trend and "going green" in museums is examined by assessing how this transition has impacted how museums care for collections. A literature review and survey of museums in the western United States was conducted. Key themes of strong leadership, the development of sustainability plans, and institution-specific practices are identified and discussed, and conclusions and recommendations are presented. It is concluded that museums must continue to make environmentally-friendly adjustments to collections care practices in order to ensure that they continue to care for objects and serve their communities for generations to come.