Our Environmental Plan

We take seriously our responsibility to reduce the impact Bristol Old Vic has on the environment. We know this is important to our staff, the creatives we work with, our audiences and funders.

In 2019 we joined with other Bristol organisations and signed the Climate Emergency declaration and we pledged to:

  • Align with Bristol City Council’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.  
  • Attain a BREEAM rating of Very Good .
  • Collectively work with other cultural organisations in the city to look at green energy and tariffs.
  • Use our programme of work to focus on themes which inspire and empower individuals to make change in the world, with strong parallels to the environmental issues of today.
  • Include a budget for carbon offsetting for any international touring we engage in. 
  • Eradicate single-use plastic from our bar and kitchen.
  • Actively promote environmentally friendly travel options to staff and visitors.
  • Increase the use of paperless tickets and digital and online marketing.

We've made good progress against these pledges but our work continues.

The power of theatre to address real-life issues

3 Apr 2023

Did You Know?

2 Mar 2023

Carbon Literacy and Our Circular Economy

4 May 2023

BOV pilot Carbon Literacy Course now available free of charge to non-profit theatres

8 Mar 2024

Current initiatives

Across our organisation:

  • Installation of solar panel array, reducing our use of grid electricity
  • Swapped to a green tariff for our other energy use
  • Developed a class leading Climate Literacy Course which all full-time staff undertook in 2023
  • BOV designed Climate Literacy Course is accredited and has been made available to not-for-profits through the Carbon Literacy Trust
  • Stakeholder surveying to better understand expectations, using information provided to iterate our plans
  • We reclaim, recycling and reuse set materials wherever possible
  • Full recycling throughout our buildings including plastic, paper and batteries
  • Sensor lighting is fitted in all refurbished areas of the building
  • Email is replacing paper and reducing postage (e.g. brochures, newsletters); few paper copies are printed for meetings and sharing promoted
  • All computers and monitors are switched off completely at the end of each day
  • Green cleaning products in use
  • Paper towels not used in public toilets to reduce waste and improve hygiene
  • Dual flush toilets are fitted in refurbished areas
  • Air cooling where fitted is controlled by Building Management System
  • We have replaced all lighting with low energy bulbs
  • A Cycle to Work scheme is in operation
  • Disposal of toxic waste under COSHH regulations
  • All recruitment is online
  • An ethical fundraising and procurement policy is in place.

We're developing a new Action Plan for implementation during 2024.

In our Commercial work and relationships:

  • Sourcing of local good quality food and beverage suppliers and producers.
  • Using local suppliers where possible for other goods and services.
  • Using environmentally like-minded suppliers.
  • Recycling and reusing plastics.
  • Introducing recyclable plastic glasses into all front of house areas.

Operations

  • The option of purchasing reconditioned equipment where possible is always considered.
  • New managed print contract means more efficient printing, lower ink use and lower costs.
  • Stage lights are never on when not in use.
  • Old printers are being phased out, with all staff being linked to centralised photocopiers. This will reduce paper and ink cartridge use. 


Bristol Old Vic’s redevelopment in 2018

Low-impact design features include:

  • Re-use of existing historic building fabric dating back to 1766 (Georgian Auditorium and Coopers’ Hall walls exposed for first time).
  • Brickwork from demolition operations was recycled and incorporated into new walls and masonry repairs.
  • Removal of 1970s concrete and brick structure to create new public ‘courtyard’ connecting Auditorium to King St for the first time.
  • New Studio Theatre and ‘public room’ created in the existing Coopers’ Hall with upgraded rehearsal/ performance space also created in the attic.
  • Green seedum roof above main foyer to increase biodiversity and visual amenity.
  • Natural ventilation system utilised to supply foyer and Studio Theatre with fresh air and reduce energy use (existing basement space with low head-height reused as plenum).
  • External corten steel shutters on main façade reduce solar gain and were commissioned as a public artwork.
  • Engineered timber ‘glulam’ structural frame in the main foyer to utilise pre-fabrication and rapid assembly benefits, act as a ‘carbon bank’, and provide warm, human material palette.
  • Existing 1970s foundations re-used to avoid unnecessary ground works and increased carbon footprint.
  • Sculptural steel stairs installed in the main foyer to resolve difference between historic Auditorium, 1970s and contemporary levels.
  • New lift core installed to provide universal access to all levels for the first time in the Theatre’s history.