Green Charter

The Hands On workshop has been envisaged as “eco-friendly” from its inception. The building has been renovated following a set of principles to reduce energy use and source sustainable products.

This Green Charter sets out how we aim to use the building and run workshop activities to minimise the environmental impact of the project. We hope that this will raise awareness of the small changes that we can all make to reduce our impact on the environment.

LATCH has signed up to the 10:10 campaign, committing to reduce our carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.

Water and Energy Use

Aims

• We will endeavour to minimise the amount of energy used in the workshop for heating, lighting and equipment.

• We will endeavour to minimise the amount of water used in the workshop.

Objectives

• We will purchase highly energy efficient equipment and appliances.

• We will monitor and record energy and water use to identify possible savings.

• We will switch off lights and equipment when not in use.

• We will provide information and instruction in using the building in ways that maximise energy and water efficiency.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Aims

• We will endeavour to minimise resource use in all areas of our work.

• We will endeavour to minimise the amount of waste produced by the workshop through reusing, recycling and composting.

Objectives

• We will only buy goods and materials that we need and cannot be practically be shared.

• We will reduce paper use by:
  • Printing only when necessary
  • Double sided printing
  • Reusing paper as scrap

• We will recycle where possible and provide clearly marked and easy to use recycling and composting bins

• We will use reusable products whenever possible and avoid disposables.

• We will provide information and instruction in using the reuse and recycling systems

Purchasing and Procurement

Aims

• We will endeavour to purchase goods and services with minimal environmental impact and support fairly traded products.

Objectives

• We will purchase sustainable, fairly traded, recycled and recyclable goods wherever possible and affordable.

• We will source goods and services from suppliers that share our green ethos where possible and affordable.

• We will source reclaimed and natural materials for use in workshop activities wherever possible.

• We will aim to source goods and services locally where possible.

• We will consider the “cradle to grave” environmental impact of goods and services before purchasing.