The Stationers’ Company Focus on a Sustainable Future
The Stationers’ Company and its industries have a long record of recognising the importance of sustainable management and environmental issues. There are three main areas within the Company where this is very much on the agenda:
Stationers Hall and Garden
Stationers’ Hall is a historic Grade 1 listed building and is one of the three oldest Livery Halls in the City of London. It was rebuilt in 1673 on the site of the previous Hall that burnt down in the Great Fire of London. Three hundred and fifty years later the Stationers’ Company has completed our ‘Vision 350’ Hall development project.
Our Hall development team looked carefully at carbon emissions. The installation of air source heat pumps as our new source of heating (and cooling) will reduce the carbon emissions generated by our public room activities by some 80%. In addition, the adoption of passive measures will assist climate control; these include the Great Hall loft insulation. This is on our current building works agenda.
The Stationers’ Company carefully examined use of materials and where possible have recycled existing materials such as wooden flooring and alcoves. A new timeline consisting of a series of LED panels going up the new staircase is made from recycled plastic bottles. Lighting was designed to be the most energy efficient available.
In the garden, paving stones were reused and some early paving stones that were uncovered in the process of excavation were introduced. Our garden has helped to improve the atmosphere of the surrounding area for many years. It has reduced our carbon footprint, particularly our magnificent old plain tree which works hard to reduce the ‘greenhouse’ effect by removing carbon dioxide from the air and releasing oxygen. Careful thought has been given to the replanting of the garden to ensure optimum pollination and biodiversity.
Our Industries
Members of the Stationers’ Company represent the content and communication industries. Over the last thirty years there have been many debates about forestry, the use of paper, recycling and manufacturing methods. The Stationers’ Company has hosted several events in the Hall to debate these issues and to reward best practice. This included the Moral Fibre debate which, in association with the Global Forest and Trade Network, helped to bring about change in the global supply chains of paper suppliers, printers, major retailers and manufacturers. This helped to support the use of FSC paper and recycled paper and to improve forest management. In 2010 WWF held their annual Global Forest and Trade (GFTN)members event at Stationers’ Hall. This included major UK retailers, publishers and printers. The campaign Two Sides has also held events at Stationers’ Hall to address the sustainable story of paper, print and paper packaging.
The Stationers’ Company has encouraged innovation in our industries to help reduce impact on the environment through our annual Innovation and Excellence Awards (IEA). This awards scheme has highlighted and rewarded exceptionable new developments in the use of environmentally-friendly materials, manufacturing methods and digital platforms that address climate change, carbon emissions and sustainable governance.
Education
We have encouraged and supported awareness of environmental issues at Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy and one of the students is currently working on a paper to share with the Stationers’ Company and other students. A Stationers’ MA bursary recipient focused on publishing and sustainability for her thesis. Our Shine Awards encourage schools to submit entries for magazines, podcasts and other creative media and environmental issues are an important theme.
Environment Champion: Given the importance the Stationers’ Company places on environmental issues, our current Master, Moira Sleight, has been determined to ensure our continued focus on this area by asking our Hall and Heritage Committee to appoint an Environment Champion.
Written by Helen Esmonde, Past Master
The Stationers’ Company
February 2023