We put our spotlight on UK sustainable venues with everything from energy efficiency and food waste reduction to innovative eco-projects.
Benefits of sustainable venues
Firstly, we’re sharing the benefits of using sustainable venues for your meetings and events. There are many!
- Tech Inspiration: Sustainable venues often showcase inspirational technologies and designs that can inspire event attendees and participants.
- Foster Creativity: Sustainable venues can provide a unique setting to foster creative thinking, collaboration, and discussion around ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance).
- Environmental Responsibility: Sustainable venues often prioritise environmentally friendly practices, such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and water management. By hosting events at these venues, event companies demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility and reducing their carbon footprint.
- Boost brand Reputation: Sustainability has become crucial to brand values, messaging and reputation. So hosting events at sustainable venues allows organisations to align themselves with the values of socially conscious investors and target audiences -everyone from clients and sponsors to event paying and non-paying attendees.
Sustainable venues
Let’s dive in (preferably to a plastic-free ocean) and see what our curated collection of venues offers eco-conscious venue bookers and event organisers.
1. Twickenham Stadium
The home of English rugby has always been committed to providing an exceptional experience for its visitors, in terms of sporting events and sustainability. Recognising the significant environmental impact of food waste, the stadium has implemented a comprehensive food waste strategy to maximise resource efficiency, minimise waste generation, and promote sustainability.
From responsible sourcing to educating visitors and collaborating with charitable organisations, the stadium has implemented a range of initiatives to minimise food waste at every stage of the process. What’s more, data analysis is integral to Twickenham Stadium’s successful food waste strategy. The stadium keeps track of its waste generation, identifying trends and areas for improvement. This data-driven approach allows the management to make informed decisions and implement targeted measures to further reduce food waste.
Thomas Rhodes, Executive Head Chef at Twickenham Stadium, and one of the leaders on the venue’s sustainability initiatives says: “We can track the life of an ingredient, and use it for different things across the menu, from top to bottom. For instance, we can order whole locally sourced vegetables, use them in two or three dishes, and then use the excess for stocks and soups. It means one ingredient will be seen across two or three menus and multiple events.”
2. 15Hatfields
This London venue stands out in the crown for its commitment to sustainability. From its design and construction that minimises its environmental impact to its day-to-day operations, such as renewable energy sources, 15Hatfields has implemented multiple sustainability initiatives.
We particularly rate the venue’s water conservation efforts: Alongside water-efficient fixtures and appliances to reduce water consumption the property boasts rainwater harvesting systems which collect and reuse rainwater for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation and toilet flushing.
3. The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
This performing arts venue in Cardiff is committed to sustainability. It has a green roof that helps regulate the building’s temperature, utilises rainwater harvesting systems, and prioritises energy-efficient practices. The venue also promotes sustainable catering and encourages recycling and waste reduction.
4. The Good Hotel
Located in the heart of London’s Royal Victoria Docks, this social enterprise combines a commitment to giving back to the community with sustainability. Initially a pop-up concept, its popularity led to the property becoming a permanent fixture. The stylish hotel is actually constructed from repurposed shipping containers and focuses on social and environmental responsibility, providing training and employment opportunities for the locally long-term unemployed.
5. The Brighton Centre
The Brighton Centre is a prominent conference and exhibition centre committed to sustainability. It has implemented various measures to reduce its environmental impact, such as using renewable energy sources, recycling waste, and minimising water usage. The venue has also been awarded the ISO 14001 certification for its sustainable practices.
6. The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC)
Now known as the SEC Centre, this Glasgow venue focuses on sustainability and environmental responsibility. It has achieved ISO 20121 certification for sustainable event management and has implemented energy-efficient lighting, waste reduction, and a sustainable food and beverage policy.
7. The Eden Project
Situated in a reclaimed Cornish clay mine, the Eden Project is an iconic attraction that promotes sustainable living and environmental awareness. It hosts events and conferences in its unique biomes, which feature a wide range of plant species. The venue incorporates renewable energy sources and engages in extensive recycling and composting practices.
8. The Scarlet
This luxurious eco-hotel harmonises with its natural surroundings on the stunning North Cornwall coast. It features a unique design that incorporates energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials. What’s more, the hotel’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its farm-to-table restaurant, which sources ingredients from local suppliers, and its services focus on wellness, with an outdoor natural reed-bed pool heated by solar panels and organic spa treatments.
9. The National Exhibition Centre (NEC)
Birmingham’s NEC is one of the largest exhibition centres in the UK and has made notable sustainability advancements. It has implemented energy-saving initiatives, waste management programs, and environmentally-friendly transportation options and also holds the ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system.
10. The Savoy
You don’t always associate the idea of luxury with sustainability. But The Savoy, one of London’s most iconic hotels, has also made significant steps forward in sustainability. The hotel has implemented a range of energy-saving measures, including LED lighting, efficient HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, and a comprehensive waste management program. The Savoy has built eco-practices into its procurement process, sourcing locally produced goods and supporting British suppliers.
11. The Greenbank Hotel
Nestled on the picturesque Falmouth coastline, The Greenbank Hotel is another property that combines luxury with sustainability. The hotel boasts a marine conservation policy, commitment to supporting local marine projects, and has undergone extensive renovations to improve energy efficiency and reduce its environmental impact.
Booking sustainable venues
These are just a few examples of sustainable venues and hotels in the UK. There are many others prioritising sustainability and we’d love to introduce you to one of them for your next event.