Sustainability at Rosetta Arts

We believe we're responsible for operating sustainably and reducing our environmental impact. As a community arts organisation in Newham, we recognise the urgency of the climate and ecological emergency and our responsibility to the communities we serve. This isn't an add-on it's part of how we make decisions across the organisation, from the materials we buy to the way we run our building and our website.

Our Environmental Commitments

We're committed to reducing environmental impact and continually improving our environmental performance. Specifically, we:

• Promote recycling and use recycled materials wherever possible
  
• Minimise waste and recover as much as we can economically
  
• Buy products and services that do the least damage to the environment
  
• Encourage sustainable travel (walking, cycling, public transport)
  
• Reduce energy consumption through efficient equipment and practices
  
• Raise awareness of environmental issues through our art programmes and teaching
  

For any questions about our environmental policy or concerns related to it, contact Jan De Schynkel, CEO, at info@rosettaarts.org or 020 7511 1117.

How We Measure Our Impact

We measure and report our environmental impact annually through Julie's Bicycle's Creative Climate Tools, as part of the Arts Council England Environmental Programme. This gives us independent, consistent data on our carbon footprint and progress against targets.

We also recognise the constraints of operating in a shared building with other tenants and a landlord, so we work collaboratively to improve environmental performance where we have influence.

What We're Doing Right Now

Waste and recycling

We've cut paper use dramatically . We double-sided print wherever possible, plan printing in small batches, and use Google Docs and cloud storage to reduce paper altogether.

Recycling bins are placed in rooms for glass, plastics, and landfill waste. We recycle clay waste from the pottery studio, compost food waste and tea leaves for staff to take home, and actively upcycle old canvases, fabrics, and abandoned artworks into saleable and useable items instead of sending them to landfill.

Energy and travel

We're replacing gallery lights with energy-efficient alternatives, turning off lights when rooms are empty, and turning off equipment when not in use. Around 75% of our meetings with external partners are now online to reduce travel miles. Full-time staff can work from home two days a week to cut commuting.

Materials and purchasing

We source art supplies locally where possible to reduce carbon footprint. We bulk-buy eco-friendly detergents, handwash soap, and recycled papers, and encourage all workshop materials to be planned for the year and purchased in bulk using recycled, upcycled, and environmentally friendly products wherever possible.

Environmental awareness in teaching

We build environmental themes into our classes, exhibitions, and events. Recent examples: children's Art Stars workshops exploring plastic's impact on coral reefs and creating designs from recycled plastic bottles. We work with artists and organisations producing work around environmental themes to educate visitors and participants.

Our website's sustainable design

Sustainability extends to our digital presence. This website has been built with environmental efficiency in mind:

Optimised performance

We've fine-tuned every aspect of the website from code to images to ensure it loads swiftly and efficiently. Faster loading times reduce the energy consumption linked to website use.

Minimalistic design

We've embraced a clean, minimalistic design approach. By focusing only on vital features and functions, we reduce the website's resource usage and carbon footprint. No bloat, no unnecessary animations or auto-playing media.

Responsive design

This website adapts seamlessly to any device  phone, tablet, desktop. You only need one version of the website instead of separate mobile and desktop versions, which conserves resources and reduces energy consumption across all our users.

How You Can Help

If you're visiting us, taking a workshop, or using our space:

• Use the correct recycling bins for glass, plastics, and paper
  
• Walk, cycle, or take public transport to reach us
  
• Ask about environmentally friendly materials being used in your workshop
  
• Support our upcycled art projects and donated goods 

If you're shopping with us or donating materials, we actively welcome donations of art materials and environmentally friendly products.

Limitations and honesty

We're a community organisation in a shared building, and some of our environmental improvements depend on landlord and contractor approval. We work within these constraints while pushing for better outcomes where we can influence decisions.

We also acknowledge that all organisations have environmental impacts, and we're committed to transparent measurement and reporting of our progress, not just our intentions.

Policy approved: 19 June 2026
Next review date: April 2027

Here’s where to find us

Rosetta Arts, 1 Hamilton Rd London E15 3AE, UK

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Where Creativity Builds Community

Rosetta Arts, 1 Hamilton Rd London E15 3AE, UK

Company registration no. 3167185. | Charity no. 1177462

© Rosetta Arts 2026. Site by DDL