Environmental Policy

Intent

At 1 Wimpole Street we realise our actions have an impact on the environment around us. We regard sustainability and tackling climate change as key strategic issues for us, and for the UK. We are therefore committed to the implementation of an effective environmental system that will not only
reduce the impact of our activities on the environment but also increase our efficiency and effectiveness as a venue.

Click to read our Green Story

 

We fulfill this mission by a commitment to:

• Understanding environmental issues and sharing this information.
• Developing innovative and flexible solutions to bring about change.
• Sourcing products and services that are produced and distributed in a responsible fashion.
• Recognising that managed social responsibility is essential to our future.
• Monitoring and measurement of our progress for each project.
• Encouraging all our suppliers and partners to share in our aims.

 

Policy

We understand that our operations have a carbon footprint, and we are dedicated to minimising it. We have implemented a framework that underscores our commitment to sustainability, ensuring that every event we host leaves a minimal negative impact on the environment. 1 Wimpole Street commits to the following practices:

• All waste food from production waste, such as vegetable trimmings combined with food waste post service is sent to Veolia UK | Leeming Biogas for gas-to-grid anaerobic digestion.
• Buy from small independent suppliers, and have seasonal produce tailored to our menus when available.
• Manage our venue’s energy consumption by turning off unnecessary light and climate control in our rooms through a computerised Building Management System (BMS).
• Reduce electrical load on the aircon chilling plant by using the fresh air only when the weather is below 19 degrees and not using any re-circulation function.
• We recycle: paper, glass, cardboard, cooking oil, plastic, cans, batteries, printer cartridges, electrical equipment, IT equipment.
• Encourage bedroom guests to reuse towels and reduce linen usage during their stay which in turn uses less water and detergent.
• Minimise cardboard packaging on deliveries where possible.
• Have an on-site water purification system which has saved annually an estimated 92,000 1 litre glass bottles from being transported and saving an estimated 7,200 tonnes of carbon emissions.
• Meeting room notepads are made from FSC certified paper, and pens from recycled aluminium.
• Use electronic documentation and files where possible to limit paper consumption.
• Offer video conferencing in all meetings allowing potential overseas or UK based attendees travelling far distances to reduce their carbon footprint by accessing the event remotely.
• Use low energy light bulbs wherever possible.
• Use reusable dispensers for soaps and shampoo in the hotel rooms and toilet areas of the building.
• We will continue to offer our employees the Cycle to Work scheme. In addition to the health benefits of regular exercise, making the switch from commuting by car to cycling massively reduces an individual employee’s carbon footprint.

 

Thoughtful & Considerate Staff:

1 Wimpole Street recognises the responsibility our staff have in contributing to good environmental management. We seek to harness and channel the enthusiasm and interest shown by our employees and provide the appropriate support to ensure all staff understand and exercise their environmental responsibility.

Responsible Suppliers & Partners:

The source of our food ingredients means a great deal to us. Of course, we want them to be the finest and freshest available, but we also want to know that they are from suppliers with integrity.

That’s why we source our fish from suppliers dedicated to promoting sustainability and minimising food miles. The butchers we use can trace every link in their supply chain back to the farm. Our cheese comes from artisan makers in the UK who are passionate about their craft. Wherever possible, our chefs use fruit and vegetables from British growers. And all our hot beverages are supplied by importers who are as committed to the welfare of the growers as they are to the quality of the product.

Read our blog post on: Adapting a Sustainable Diet

 

Communication

All staff and contractors will be made aware of this policy and their individual responsibilities within it. We recognise that sharing this policy will not only raise awareness of the environmental practices we are already doing, but also start a discussion on possible improvements that can always be made.

 

Accreditations and Awards:

1 Wimpole Street has successfully achieved the Green Meetings Bronze Award. This significant accomplishment showcases our commitment to promoting excellent environmental practices.

As a world-leading sustainability certification for travel, tourism and hospitality businesses, Green Tourism aim to help embed responsible, sustainable, and environmentally friendly practices across venues and the wider tourism sector.

Green Tourism is an accrediting body which understands that sustainability is the key to success within the modern hospitality industry. For the industry to be successful both nationally and internationally, it is important that venues have a system in place to help set targets to show continuous improvement.

Royal Society of Medicine (RSM)

The Royal Society of Medicine owns and operates 1 Wimpole Street. Holding your event at 1 Wimpole Street is an investment in the future of UK healthcare as profits are reinvested into the RSM’s primary charitable purpose: to provide education for doctors and other healthcare professionals.

The RSM highlights key health issues such as the impact of climate change within its education programmes. It is also a founding member of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change which brings together healthcare professionals to advocate for better responses to climate change that protect and promote public health.

The RSM’s Council is aware of its need to invest the Society’s funds in a responsible manner and to have a positive impact on people and the planet. This is done by investing in funds that adopt screening policies that exclude areas of significant social or environmental harm and integrate ESG factors within the investment selection process. One such exclusion is the direct holding of investments whose primary business is in fossil fuels including the production, extraction and refining of oil, gas and coal, screened at more than 10% of revenue.