We’re working hard to green our supply chain by better understanding what we procure and engaging with the people we work with by putting sustainability at the heart of the conversation. We seek to reduce the negative impact of what we do as much as possible and we look to find ways in which to make a positive difference through our choices, actions and influence.
Our sustainable procurement policy ensures that we minimise the carbon footprint of our suppliers, products and services wherever possible. Through collaboration with Green Business Growth we’ve developed a sustainable procurement survey and we regularly review our suppliers, creating a sustainable tendering process for operational activities. We’re sharing our learning with our arts sector and First Street neighbours to develop a green supplier directory and we’re continually building on our efforts and commitments to drive positive change.
Our café bar and restaurant offer seasonally available produce from regional suppliers. We support local business by using North West producers supplying dairy, fruit and vegetables, meat, sustainably-sourced fish, ales and snacks. The majority of our food is prepared from scratch on site, and we have a great selection of plant-based and meat-free options on the menu. In line with our Zero-to-Landfill policy, all in-house catering waste is composted, recycled or converted into Waste-to-Energy biofuel.
Our in-house independent publications company, Cornerhouse Publications, distributes specialist contemporary visual arts books and its catalogue features a great range of art, ecology and climate change themed products.
Our ground floor bookshop supports local and independent makers, selling products ranging from prints, zines, books and journals to cards and gifts. We stock coffee from Manchester roasteries, and opt for ethical and planet-positive choices with our clothing merchandise including organic cotton, carbon neutral t-shirts manufactured using solar and wind power and tote bags made from recycled cotton and polyester.
We have already taken many steps on our journey to remove single-use plastic waste. We have updated our procurement process to ensure that we prioritise working with suppliers who share our vision and we include the environmental and carbon impact of plastic in our Carbon Literacy Training. HOME is committed to implementing sustainable changes to ensure they have long-term positive effects. We are removing, where industry allows us, the use of single-use plastics and continuing to improve waste management, without having negatively impacting on other environmental issues.
We know that we are at the start of an important journey, but it is one that we are determined to get right, and we invite you to follow our progress and take on the challenge with us by thinking twice about plastic use.