Utilise Plus Event Report: Case Study Visit to Glyndebourne

We arrived on a crisp beautiful March morning to another fully booked tour of internationally renowned opera venue in East Sussex.

The 36 delegates heard from Glyndebourne’s enigmatic Executive Chairman Gus Christie about the impressive range of initiatives they have undertaken to improve sustainability from the obvious (their 67m high wind turbine) to the less visible such as setting up a charity shop to sell old opera costumes.

Delegates were impressed by the range of sustainability initiatives undertaken and the top level management commitment that is a key part of their success. They were then led on a tour of the venue and grounds and back to the venue for networking and coffee.

Environmental initiatives undertaken:

• Installation of high-efficiency gas-fired condensing boilers
• Modification of the air conditioning system
• Replacement of the auditorium lights with low-energy LEDs
• Installation of timers and light sensors
• Free coach service from Lewes station to encourage audiences to use public transport
• On-site electric car charging facilities
• Introduction of a ‘cycle to work scheme’
• Interest free loan offer for staff to cover commuting by rail
• Increased use of recycled paper
• Significantly improved recycling facilities
• Recycling of decommissioned scenery
• Switch to environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies
• Introduction of a ‘green purchasing’ clause, committing to source from local suppliers where possible
• Irrigating the gardens using our own spring and lake
• Reuse of 70% of garden waste for compost
• Adjustment of toilet flushes to save water

To read more about the venue’s commitment to the environment click here