At Birmingham Hippodrome we engage in green conversations and practices with our staff, visitors, and partners.
In July 2024, Birmingham Hippodrome surveyed its staff to create a baseline assessment of our current sustainability and our priorities going forward. We will be using staff suggestions (where appropriate) to guide our environmental goals.
Training
When staff first start with us, the Environment is included as part of their Company Induction, setting them off on the right foot from the moment they begin working with us. Our compulsory induction module on the environment includes information about climate change and the impact our actions have on the planet. We are currently running a project to revamp this training to include more information on how our work at Birmingham Hippodrome specifically supports sustainability. We work with our waste management company to provide training for our team members in more sustainable waste practices. During induction training, all employees are given an open invitation to join our sustainability working group, the Green Team, so that they can actively contribute to our environmental progress.
In July 2024, we formed a second pro-environmental staff working group called the Sustainability Champions. The Champions have all undergone Carbon Literacy Training with the WMCA Commonwealth Games legacy programme and been certified for completing online activities and a live teaching session. Throughout the year, the Sustainability Champions (and anyone else interested within Birmingham Hippodrome) are recommended to attend training and forums run by external organisations about key topics in theatre sustainability, such as the webinar series run by the Theatres Trust and Julie’s Bicycle.
Several members of staff also hold additional sustainability qualifications from independent training which informs their work for Birmingham Hippodrome. Our permanent staff can access a personal development fund which enables them to undertake further training and upskilling opportunities.
Reusable Bottles and Mugs
When new staff & volunteers join us, they are issued with a Hippodrome Reusable Bottle or Mug. They help to reduce the number of single use products used throughout the building, as does the stock of reusable mugs used in our Green Room by staff and artists. The bars in our theatre now serve drinks in fully reusable plastic tumblers which are gathered in at the end of every performance. These cups visually show our commitment to the sustainability mission.
Uniform
Our staff uniform supplier provides us with a range of items that are made from recycled polyester and organic cottons. Once items are no longer needed, uniform is returned to the supplier who recycle every item to BS EN 15713:2009 standards. Our old uniform is repurposed into multiple products like insulation, new cloth, and renewable energy pellets, with 0% going to landfill.
Reducing Paper Waste
Our IT team have installed ‘follow me printing’ in our office which reduces waste from documents left uncollected at the printer. We have moved over to digital systems for our daily operational checks, reducing the need for printing of multiple documents. We now monitor the amount of paper we order and unused print we recycle as key KPIs for our sustainability progress.
Public Transport
Staff are encouraged to travel to and from work sustainably, by using public transport through subsidised travel passes, a cycle to work scheme, and an EV car purchasing scheme. We have cycling parking available for our staff members and touring companies on site, and lockers and shower facilities available for them to use.
Accessibility
We want our venue and performances to be as accessible – physically, financially, and culturally – to all Birmingham residents and lovers of the arts. We offer specialised booking service to help those with physical accessibility requirements to access our shows and get the support they need, and have formed an advocates group to advise on further improvements.
We support the financial accessibility of theatre through offering discounted Standby tickets to local residents and students for performances with spare seats. We aim for our programme to reflect a diverse range of experiences and performance interests so that our community feels represented on the Birmingham Hippodrome stage.