Our commitment to sustainability

At Hinxton Hall Conference Centre, we are committed to environmental and social sustainability. This is integrated into our operations, guiding us as we strive to minimise our environmental impact whilst enhancing guest experiences.

In 2023, we obtained a Silver Green Meetings award for the Conference Centre, and we work continuously with our partners to improve our environmental impact.

Our sustainability goals include energy management, waste reduction, sustainable procurement and community impact, amongst others.

Energy management

The Campus on which we are located has a mature energy management system certified to ISO 50001 where all information is shared and communicated. This enables us to monitor our consumption and work to reduce it. We have clear energy targets in place and a dedicated energy and decarbonisation strategy. Campus is also ISO 14001 environmental management certified, and is continuously exploring renewable energy options, aiming to incorporate solar or wind energy sources into our operations.

LED bulbs are used across our event space and in more than 50% of our other meeting rooms. We are working to replace the remaining bulbs with LED upgrades as required.

Waste reduction

We actively promote recycling and composting initiatives, ensuring that waste produced during events is minimised and properly sorted.

Digital solutions are prioritised to reduce paper use in our communications and event materials.

Cardboard and soft plastics are bailed on site and palletised for recycling.

Food waste from our kitchens is weighed, recorded, and then goes for anaerobic digestion. We also donate food through a local sharing app. This is collected twice a week by volunteers trained in food safety and redistributed in the local community.

Equality, diversity and inclusivity

All suppliers that bid for service contracts are asked to supply their equality policy and asked to confirm that it explicitly bans discrimination, bullying, and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

We have developed a comprehensive venue access information document aimed at helping anyone with access needs to prepare for their visit, and an accessibility toolkit for event organisers. The Conference Centre also has a virtual tour available on the website so delegates are able to view the venue before arriving.

A family room is available for parents and carers who want a quiet and safe space to care for babies and children, as well as for people who require a quiet space. Conferences can be streamed to this room, if needed, so that participants do not miss out.

Catering

Our catering partners, Restaurant Associates, partner with local suppliers and vendors who share our commitment to sustainability, prioritising the use of organic, fair trade, and environmentally-friendly products.

Our coffee, Blend 53 is Certified Rainforest Alliance. This means the coffee was grown on farms certified to the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, which supports climate-smart agriculture and helps reduce the impact of such crops on the climate. The beans are sourced directly from farmers or through established trading companies, roasted in the UK, and distributed in 100% recyclable packaging.

We have introduced carbon labelling in our catering brochure so that clients are able to make more sustainable menu choices for their conferences.

Continuous improvement

We recognise that sustainability is an evolving journey and are committed to continuous evaluation and improvement. Our catering partner, Restaurant Associates, are working towards being Net Zero by 2030 and continuously innovate in the area of food sustainability. Energy and waste reduction progress is monitored by a team on Campus, with results shared transparently with Campus stakeholders.

The success of these initiatives depends on the active participation of our staff, suppliers, and clients. We are committed to providing the resources and support needed to achieve these goals while maintaining the highest standards of service for our guests.

 

Together, we can create impactful events that not only fulfil client needs but also contribute positively to the environment and community.

For more information about our sustainability initiatives, please see: