Today is #EarthDay, an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection and a great day to celebrate all the great work Spaces at the Spine is doing to minimise its environmental impact.

Sustainability is at the very core of our operation and day-to-day business, and sustainability strategies are an integral part of our venue’s design.

Here’s how we work with our clients and the local community to minimise our environmental impact.

Our building

As a new build, The Spine gave the RCP the opportunity to incorporate sustainability at the initial design and build stage, meaning that we could ensure our building was able to meet a number of accessibility and sustainability measures. For example, the fit-out of our spaces is rated BREEAM Excellent (a rating taking into account energy efficiency, sustainability and how well it meets user needs) and classed as A++ ESOS-2 energy efficient.

Some of our sustainability features include:

• Smart building management systems regulating temperature and lighting according to external lighting conditions and saving energy by turning lights off when event spaces are not being used;
• LED lighting saving 50% of energy costs compared to traditional lighting;
• Filtered drinking water accessible within the entire building;
• Oxygen-producing plant installations;
• Some of our flooring and wallpaper is made out of 95% recycled plastic bottles;
• Low VOC paints have been used throughout the building (VOCs, volatile organic compounds, are carbon-based chemicals that easily get into the air);
• All wood used within the building, including furniture, is sustainable hardwood.

Our food

We work with caterer Company of Cooks to ensure our catering and food provision aligns with our sustainability pledge. Company of Cooks is deeply committed to operating in a socially responsible and sustainable way, and it has been awarded three stars by the Sustainable Restaurant Association for its commitment.

From using local and seasonal produce to promoting plant-based and vegan dishes in all our menus, serving sustainably-caught fish and sourcing ‘wines with a conscience’, we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations.

Our food is inventive and memorable, with something to suit all tastes, and our menus are built around seasonal produce from our local suppliers. Now more than ever, supporting our supplier communities is integral to our approach and we have a fantastic established supply chain.

For 2022 our menus focus on low carbon offerings and swap traditional sandwiches for breadless healthier options. The objective is to fuel, rather than simply feed, which aligns with the purpose of the RCP. Our motto ‘Health by Stealth’ has seen us creating delicious food with underlying health benefits.

Our events

Our approach to events is a result of both our commitment to operating in a sustainable way and our deep attention to client feedback.

Spaces at The Spine boasts ergonomic, modern and intelligent spaces showcasing the best-in-class building connectivity and agile audio-visual systems. Our investments in event technology ensure that events hosted at our venue can be paperless and rely on the latest technological advances.

In line with the WELL Standard’s concept of nourishment, we have created delicious menus incorporating healthy food options and promoting knowledge about nutrient quality.

The Spine and our venue play a crucial role within the Liverpool community by establishing themselves as a beacon of excellence and setting an example for future buildings and venues looking to implement sustainability in their design and operation.

We are proud of our commitment to sustainability on #EarthDay and every other day of the year. If sustainability matters to you, and you are looking to host an event  that doesn’t harm the Planet, please get in touch with us now at spaces@rcp.ac.uk