We have reduced our carbon footprint across the organisation, from building and office management, exhibitions, events, education and Craft Shop to marketing and advocacy. This has been achieved by cutting energy use, recycling, reusing and precycling. Waste has been cut by at least 50%, energy by 24% and car use by 10% despite an increase in staffing of 45%. All staff and volunteers are committed to this work both in work and home, contributing ideas and actions.
For the public we have run workshops for adults, children and family groups encouraging the use of creative recycling of everyday materials sourced from scrap stores, Freecycle, cardboard from manufacturers and sample books from interior designers. Exhibitions such as Making and Mending have promoted interest in recycling and reinventing discarded objects. In the shop we sell contemporary craft, cards and books by UK makers who run small sustainable businesses from home.We are an advocate too, providing examples of good practice and encouraging other arts organisations, charities, businesses and the public to change their behaviour.
In March we are holding a national meeting with VAGA on climate change and in 2010 we will continue to think creatively and laterally to reduce our carbon footprint even further.
