We believe in doing our bit to create a greener future, and we’d love for you to join us on this journey.

Our Green Promise

We are committed to:

  • Raising Awareness: We want everyone – our team, our residents, our audiences, and our neighbours – to be clued up on environmental issues and how to live and work more sustainably.
  • Reducing Waste: We’re on a mission to minimise waste through using our smart resource use and recycling.
  • Saving Energy: We’re working hard to reduce our energy consumption with efficient practices and by exploring renewable energy.

Our Green Plan: What We’re Up To

Our plan is guided by the recommendations from a 2023 environmental audit conducted by Three Acorns (with big thanks to funding from City Bridge Trust). We recognise that our biggest environmental impacts stem from:

  • Our Building: Our massive 62,000 sq ft home, with its cinema screens, performance spaces and bars.
  • Our Programme: All the fantastic gigs, screenings, performances and workshops we put on.
  • Our Team: Our amazing 100 staff members and the 23 incredible organisations that call Rich Mix home.

So, how are we tackling this?

1. Raising Awareness:

  • Inside Rich Mix: We’re giving our staff and residents the tools and knowledge they need to be eco-champions.
  • Out in the Community: We’re putting up informative signs to keep everyone informed and we’re aiming for a Green Tourism award.
  • In Our Programming: We’re weaving environmental themes into our workshops, events, and all sorts of creative projects.

2. Reducing Waste:

  • Waste-reducing Strategies: We’re coming up with clever ways to reduce waste, especially single-use plastics.
  • Eco-Friendly Suppliers: We’re choosing sustainable products and services whenever we can.
  • Reducing Food Waste: We’re minimising food waste at our catering and events.

3. Saving Energy:

  • Energy Efficiency: We’re checking out all our equipment and switching to super-efficient LED lights.
  • Teamwork: We’re encouraging everyone to save energy – every little bit helps!

Our Commitment to Arts Council England

As an ACE National Portfolio Organisation, we share our green ambitions and goals with them, and they’re a big part of our 2024-25 plan:

  • Our Big Dream (in 3 Years): A greener Rich Mix building (less energy and waste – we’re aiming for 18% less carbon and 13% less waste), getting everyone involved in reducing our impact, and putting climate change in the spotlight through our creative programmes.
  • Our Next Steps (in 12 Months): Waste reduction initiatives, the Green Tourism Award, spreading the word about sustainability, supporting our resident businesses to go green, and making sure our supply chains are ethical and sustainable.

How We’re Making it Happen

  • Green Skills: Regular training and sharings for everyone on our Green Policy and Action Plan.
  • Green Team: Our amazing Environmental Committee (staff from all departments) meet up once a month to keep things moving.
  • Green Plans: We’ve got a new procurement policy and we’re always updating our Green Policy and Action Plan. Plus, we’re hosting four events or workshops a year themed on climate change.
  • Green Tools: We’re using Julie’s Bicycle Creative Green Tools to track our progress and we’re aiming for that Green Tourism Award.

Keeping Track and Staying Accountable

  • Who’s in Charge? Everyone at Rich Mix plays a part. Our Environmental Committee leads the way, our Executive Team keeps an eye on things, and our Board makes sure we’re on track.
  • Our Green Team Heroes: Meet the legends on our Environmental Committee: Alex Jackson, Selma Kerlow, Alex Thorn, Matt Whayman, Max Dickter and Louise Wiggins.
  • How We Check In: We review our policy every year and our progress is checked regularly by the team and the Board. Laura Houghton, our Board Environmental Champion, is always there to guide us. We also share our data with Julie’s Bicycle.

We’re all about being open and honest about our green journey. We know we’re not perfect, but we’re always learning and improving. We believe that by working together, we can make a real difference. Come join us!

Key highlights of what we have achieved so far this year

Raising Awareness

  • We ran Carbon Literacy training for team and residents back in July 2024
  • We held two spotlight sessions on environmental sustainability in our team meetings
  • We showed the film ‘Our Planet’ to our team and residents back in May 2024
  • We’ve been running creative workshops for families all about growing seasonal vegetables, community cooking, and food waste management.

Reducing Waste

  • We’ve started composting. Our Rich Mix soil will eventually be used in our community garden and in the planters on Redchurch Street.
  • We’ve reduced single-use plastic by switching to glassware in more of our venue spaces

Saving Energy

  • We’ve replaced even more bulbs with LED lights.
  • We’re more actively monitoring the heating and cooling of our spaces
  • We’re reducing emissions by ordering coffee and non-dairy milk in bulk.

 

Last updated: June 2025.

Got ideas or feedback on our environmental initiatives? Please email feedback@richmix.org.uk.