The following people, initiatives and strategies deliver and support environmental management throughout the College:
Health, Safety and Environmental Officer
Responsible for developing an environmental strategy for the College and making it a more sustainable place to work and study.
Contact:
Mike Alexander
+44 (0)20 7590 4175
mike.alexander@rca.ac.uk
Green RCA Group
The Green RCA Group was formed in 2007 and meets regularly to discuss environmental and sustainability issues and review the College’s Environmental strategy.
The Group comprises the Health, Safety and Environmental Officer, Student Union Representatives, the Head of Buildings and Estates, the Head of Information and Learning Services and other academic and administrative staff.
Waste and Recycling
The College has introduced initiatives to minimise waste, encourage re-use and re-cycling, and promote the efficient use of resources.
There are recycling schemes for the following types of waste:
Paper
Glass Bottles
Plastic Bottles and Cans
Cardboard
Batteries
Toners and Print Cartridges
Computers and other Electrical Equipment
Fluorescent Tubes
Aerosol Cans
The following figures were achieved for the amount of total waste recycled:
2005/2006 Academic Year: 4 %
2006/2007 Academic Year: 26 %
A target of 50% of waste recycled has been set for 2011/2012.
Energy Management
The College endeavours to manage energy usage and energy procurement in an effective way to reduce the contribution of the College to climate change. New, more energy efficient, plant and equipment is installed on an ongoing basis.
The College recently upgraded the windows in the main Darwin Building to double glazed units. This has led to considerable energy savings. There are also plans to upgrade the heating system in this building which will greatly increase efficiency.
The College’s Sculpture building in Battersea is currently being refurbished to a significantly higher environmental standard.
The College has also recently installed a Building Management System to increase energy efficiency.
In 2008 the College joined the 'Invest to Save' project, which seeks to reduce carbon emissions across the cultural and educational institutions in South Kensington.
Transport Strategy
The College actively encourages staff and students to use sustainable methods of transport such as cycling and public transport. Car parking spaces are very limited.
There are interest-free loan schemes for staff to purchase season tickets and bicycles.
The College has worked with Westminster City Council to increase the number of bicycle racks available.
The College van uses LPG fuel.
Sustainable Design
The Royal College of Art is a signatory to the Kyoto Design Declaration, committed to sharing global responsibility for building sustainable, human-centred and creative societies.
Sustainable Print Strategy
Core College publications – the Prospectus, SHOW Catalogue, Rector's Review and Accounts – are produced using:
- a designer who works with the printer to produce a design with minimum material wastage
- a printer who is locally based (minimising transportation) and environmentally accredited (ensuring optimum energy conservation, waste minimisation, traceability and low environmental impact)
- uncoated papers for that are a combination of FSC-certified pulp and post-consumer recycled papers, sourced from a local paper mill
- vegetable-based inks to minimise environmental damage.
More advice about sustainable printing and publishing (including recommendations for alumni designers, advice on paper stocks and recommendations for sustainable printers) is available to RCA staff through the Publishing Manager.