Improving sustainability in historical event venues
When it comes to event venues, sustainability comes in many different forms. Be it upcycled materials or entirely new sustainable infrastructure, there are many ways an event venue can do more to improve its sustainability credentials and do its part to help the environment and the wider planet.
Every venue is different however, and this poses different sustainability challenges as a result. Perhaps one of the biggest obstacles is when it comes to the historical infrastructure of the venue itself – especially if it’s steeped in history like ours here at the Royal Society of Chemistry at Burlington House.
Dating all the way back to 1668, the building’s rich history proudly carries with it Grade II listed status, making it vital that we strike the balance between improving sustainability performance while preserving the significance and beauty of the building itself.
It can be difficult – but not impossible. Our many careful upgrades and changes in recent years have allowed us to become Greengage ECOsmart accredited in recognition of our sustainability success, as well winning the Bronze Award for Best Historical Venue at the London Venue & Catering Awards 2023.
There are still improvements to come on our sustainability journey, but here we provide an overview on how sustainability is still prioritised despite the building’s limitations:
Building infrastructure
When it comes to updating the infrastructure of the building itself to become more sustainable, common techniques found elsewhere can’t always be so easily replicated. Modern double glazing for windows for example is often used to improve insulation, but this can become difficult when you have a venue that includes historic stained-glass windows that cannot be so easily amended.
Instead of looking to the windows, we assessed areas where we could make a clear impact. We scrutinised the flooring of the venue in particular, updating it not just with better-insulating fabrics and flooring, but also ensuring we used upcycled materials too, aiding the preservation of the building’s overall appearance while also improving its sustainability.
Energy & water
For our energy usage, we paid particular attention to the lighting used in the venue. We made the move to 100% LED lighting throughout the building and also incorporated motion-sensitive lighting in areas where this was possible, such as in our small meeting rooms and bathrooms.
With water, as well as removing all plastic water bottles and opting for glass instead for our on-site filtered water, we also ensured water usage was kept to a minimum throughout. This included both dual and infra-red flushing in all bathrooms, as well as new valves to help reduce water flow in these areas.
Rooms and consumables
When it comes to event spaces, our big focus this past year has been improving our hybrid capabilities. As well as providing all audio-visual equipment in-house, our Science Room has been upgraded with new digital microphones and cameras. Not only can they be easily controlled by one device, but they allow for fully hybrid events, providing the best of both in-person and virtual events to help bring more people together.
On the consumables side, we ensure digital signage in all meetings and conference areas, meeting supplies made from recycled materials, as well as a substantial reduction in the usage of paper in rooms with the removal of all paper flip charts.
F&B
Our partnership with the UK’s first B Corp certified caterers, Houston & Hawkes has allowed us to greatly improve our sustainability when it comes to F&B, helping us to provide great food that also does good for the planet too.
Our menus are now also 50% vegetarian and 25% vegan, giving guests more choices while also doing good for the planet.
Our continued work with our suppliers also ensures we only work with those that share our values, ensuring we continue sourcing produce that is ethical, seasonal and local.
There is still more to be done, and it is clear sustainable practices are no longer nice-to-haves, but a necessity when it comes to sustainability and adapting historical event venues for the future. It’s a challenge, but one we know has solutions.
Host an event at Burlington House
In the heart of London’s Piccadilly, the Royal Society of Chemistry at Burlington House is a prestigious event venue full of discovery, offering stories around every corner.
