The Worlds Collective
Environmental Review
3rd May 2007
Initial Environmental Review
1. Introduction
The Worlds Collective based at Badger Farm was visited on the 3rd May 2007 by Liz
Minshall of White Young Green Environmental to carry out a review of environmental
performance.
The visit was enabled by funding from Lincolnshire Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the greenLINCS Programme.
2. Organisation Background
The Worlds Collective is a not for profit art organisation that promotes creative
industries and activities within Lincolnshire with the help of our independent Environmental Consultants.
The Worlds Collective organises a range of creative activities including delivery of educational and training workshops and the organisation of two arts festivals a year. Through its work the Collective promotes a range of art forms including music, dance and crafts and is involved in the promotion of local artists and supporting local community activities and disadvantaged groups.
The Collective has adopted an environmental ethos and has a commitment to sustainability. This commitment is demonstrated through the types of activities that it supports and the way in which the Collective is run.
The site at Badger Farm, is in a remote rural location surrounded by countryside, the majority of which is owned by the Wildlife Trust and includes a site of special
scientific interest.
3. Executive Summary
The Worlds Collective has an environmental ethos throughout the organisation and has adopted a range of positive initiatives to reduce the environmental impacts of its activities and encourage others to become involved in environmental activities.
Waste minimisation and recycling are key themes throughout and environmental best practice is promoted to all visitors to the site and workshops (including volunteers, stall holders and workshop attendees).
In summary, sustainability is at the core of the organisation and the Worlds Collective has adopted a positive stance towards minimising its impact on the environment and has successfully implemented a number of positive proactive initiatives which has helped it to do so.
4. Summary of Environmental Action
The following table details the current activities and environmental initiatives that are taking place:
Environmental Initiatives
1 Festival management
The Worlds Collective organise an Eco-fest each year which promotes environmental awareness to the public and encourages the creative use of reclaimed and restored resources.
All stall holders are reviewed for suitability and relevance to the festival. All stalls are actively encouraged to demonstrate a connection with the environment and sustainability for example food providers offer fair-trade and organic produce and this practice has influenced many of the stall holders to look at new products.
The majority of the promotion of the festival is carried out via the website reducing paper use. Some promotional literature is produced, this is supplied by a local social enterprise. Environmental education is carried out at the events through the dissemination of information on environmental and ecological matters and the site itself is used to demonstrate environmental management in practice.
The location of the car parking has been altered to reduce the impact on land sensitive to the disruption and vehicle movement.
2 Energy use
Energy efficiency and the use of ‘alternative’ sources of energy are promoted and is in place onsite.
The site has a wind turbine which generates electricity and is also used as a promotional tool.
During the festival additional generators are necessary, however to reduce the environmental impact it is planned that for future events bio diesel will be sourced.
There is no lighting within the camp area and lighting is kept to a minimum. Energy efficient lighting is used wherever possible.
Energy efficiency/renewable energy information stalls are encouraged to attend the festivals.
3 Water use
The main water use is for domestic purposes. Water minimisation is encouraged and buckets are provided for washing to reduce the potential for taps to be left running. Signs are used to encourage people to turn off taps and reduce water consumption. Water butts collect water for use in the grounds. Wash water is used within the urinals and piped to a land.
Compost toilets have been installed on the site reducing water consumption. A water slide is in use for the festivals and has been recognised as an area of high water use. This will be closely monitored and the use of water restricted to certain times in the day.
4 Resource use
The majority of materials used on site are reclaimed materials, donated from local people and businesses. This material ranges from fabrics and scrap materials to furniture. All the buildings on the site have been erected from reclaimed materials.
Where resources are bought in, local sources are used to minimise transportation and to support the local community. Willow is grown onsite and is used for willow constructions/features, basket making (these are sold commercially) and the camp fire. Camp fires are limited to a number of specifically designated drums which are raised off the ground to prevent fire damage and limit the consumption of wood. The majority of the marketing for the organisation is carried out via the internet reducing the need for paper based materials, although some leaflets are printed.
5 Waste Management
Waste minimisation is a key theme of the Eco fest and the Collective promotes the creative use of reclaimed and restored resources.
Waste created onsite is minimal and any that is, is reused wherever possible, for example within the art workshops. A clean and tidy site is activity promoted to reduce waste creation and recycling is actively encouraged. A segregated bin system is used to separate plastics, glass and compostable materials. Additional bins are provided during the festival and a team of litter pickers are used to maintain the site. These teams segregate waste for recycling on collection.
Any food stalls are asked to segregate food waste that can be disposed of via the compostor. The compost is then used on the site grounds.
6 Transport
To reduce air pollution and resource consumption, modes of travel other than car are encouraged however due to the remote rural location the scope for action is limited. A van or coach service for the festivals has been offered however at present has not had a significant uptake. Car sharing is promoted with the aim of reducing the number of vehicles entering the site. A small tractor is used onsite for moving equipment and materials, this is currently petrol.
7 Education
Raising environmental awareness is a key theme within the organisation and through the use of reclaimed materials, renewable energy, energy efficient equipment, composting and recycling all visitors to the site (staff, voluntaries and festival attendees) are activity encouraged to take a positive environmental stance.
Workshops use reclaimed materials and the festivals actively promote environmental initiatives and other organisations with environmental and sustainability ethos.
8 Future Developments
The Worlds Collective is currently planning the development of a new workshop and community building. This building is being developed to incorporate environmental best practice for example to utilise reclaimed materials and maximise energy and water efficiency. This will include the use of PV cells, rain water harvesting, energy efficient lighting and sustainable design techniques.
5. Areas for further consideration
• Sustainable Event management
The British Standard Institute is currently producing a Sustainable Event
Management System which may provide future support and guidance for the
management of the festivals.
• Biodiesel
Converting to bio diesel will help to reduce the environmental impacts of the
generators and any transport. Bio diesel is increasingly available and local suppliers
are increasing which may make converting to bio diesel easier.
• Printing
If printing promotional materials ensure that the paper used has a recycled content, is
chlorine free or from a sustainable source (look for the Forest Stewardship
Commission (FSC) logo).
If sourcing a printers ask for their environmental policy and seek one that offers water
based (or vegetable) inks and doesn’t use solvents.
• Water
Consider whether water from the water slide can be channelled into a storage area
or pond for reuse.
• Waste Management
As the Collective is involved in the collection and handling of waste
materials/reclaimed materials it must ensure that it is legally compliant and meeting
the requirements of the waste management legislation.
If collecting any material that is classed as waste, and/or handling waste the
organisation may need to apply for a waste carriers and waste management licence
or an exemption (you still need to register with the Environment Agency even if you
are exempt from a licence). Netregs, the environment Agency website provides
information on waste management and obtaining licences and exemptions.
6. Environmental Support Organisations
• NetRegs
NetRegs provides free environmental guidance for small businesses in the UK. The
site provides information on legislation affecting sectors and aims to aid
understanding of the requirements of, and how to comply with environmental
legislation.
Link: www.netregs.gov.uk
• Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust is the Government’s main provider of help for businesses aiming to
improve their energy efficiency. Publications are available from The Carbon Trust
free of charge, including:
o guidance on getting started;
o self-assessment guides to examine your organisation’s progress in energy
management;
o energy consumption guides (providing benchmarks and comparisons to
other businesses);
o sector-specific fact sheets;
o good practice and case studies
o videos, posters and leaflets to help you spread the word and train staff
o Videos, posters and leaflets to help you “spread the word” and train your
staff.
Link: www.carbontrust.co.uk
The Carbon Trust also provides a UK-wide advice service through its telephone
helpline. This service is free and confidential, and can link you to experienced energy
consultants in your area.
Interest Free Loans for Energy Saving Investments are also available for small
businesses. The interest free loans are available for energy saving projects such as
installing energy efficient lighting, insulation or installing small combined heat and
power plants, from £5,000 to £100,000 with a maximum payback period of 5 years.
• Envirowise:
Envirowise offers UK businesses free, independent, confidential advice and support
on practical ways to increase profits, minimise waste and reduce environmental
impact.
Envirowise provides sector-specific advice and guidance with a range of publications
and tools to aid environmental management and implementation of initiatives.
• Enhanced Capital Allowance
Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) enable a business to claim 100% first-year
capital allowances on their spending on qualifying plant and machinery. There are
three schemes for ECAs:
o Energy-saving plant and machinery
o Low carbon dioxide emission cars and natural gas and hydrogen refuelling
infrastructure
o Water conservation plant and machinery
Businesses can write off the whole of the capital cost of their investment in these
technologies against their taxable profits of the period during which they make the
investment.
Environmental Products
These companies are provided as an example and are not endorsed or specifically
recommended by greenLINCS or White Young Green:
• The Green Shop
This is an example of an online store which offers ‘green’ products.
Link: http://www.greenshop.co.uk/
• The Green Stationery Store
Provides a range of ‘green’ stationery.
Appendix 1
Environmental Statement
Established in 1996, the Worlds Collective is a non-profit making, voluntary organisation that supports the creative industry within Lincolnshire. This is carried out through the delivery of creative workshops and the organisation of arts festivals. The Worlds Collective has a commitment to sustainability and has recognised that its activities have an impact on the environment. As a result the Worlds Collective has actively incorporated environmental best practice into its activities and is committed to reducing the impact of its activities wherever possible and practicable.
In order to work towards meeting this commitment will:
- comply with all applicable environmental legislation and with other environmental requirements to which the organisation subscribes;
- prevent pollution wherever possible and practicable;
- reduce its impact on the environment through waste minimisation, in
particular through the re-use and recycling of reclaimed resources within
creative activities; - promote energy efficiency and management through the use of renewable
energy and energy efficient equipment; - seek to identify new opportunities to incorporate environmental best
practice within activities; - and promote awareness of environmental issues amongst staff, volunteers
and visitors to the site.
Note: This should be tailored to your organisation and its activities and can include examples of practices. Ideally the statement should be supported by an action plan or list of activities to achieve the policy statement (along the lines of the summary
provided).