Alison Morgan – Dudson Museum Curator

1. Application & Award of the Staffordshire Environmental Quality Mark.The Dudson Museum, Stoke-on-Trent Alison Morgan – Dudson Museum Curator

2. SEQM recap Developed by Destination Staffordshire & Peak District National park Authority. Can fit any destination. PLACE based environmental award – unique. Customer focussed. Designed to “Help people to fall in love with Staffordshire” by using SEQM actions. Help Staffordshire be the BEST!

3. Principles Requirements based on 5 sets of principles:- Principles for businesses e.g. increased profitability. Scheme owner’s principles e.g. businesses owner trusts. Global Environment principles e.g. reducing negative impact. Local Environment principles e.g. protecting valued characteristics of Staffordshire. Principles about people and communities e.g. buying local.

4. How we got involved Learned of the scheme through an email inviting us to take part in initial testing of the application process for a new environmental award. However - small team, therefore time precious. The scheme appealed as staff were already passionate about what Staffordshire has to offer and about re-cycling/green issues etc. Pioneer!

5. What happened next Attended presentation. Recognised benefits of being awarded Staffordshire Environmental Quality Mark. Decided to proceed with application.

6. The Process Is a web based process which can be completed over time. Businesses complete the on-line application form. Telephone help is available. There is also an initial verification visit from a Project Officer/s. Application assessed by PO who gives recommendation to awards committee. Awards committee accepts or declines the application.

7. The Application (1) The SEQM on-line application form can be found at:- www.eqm.org.uk/staffordshire First, basic business/applicant information is provided: this includes details of the business and of your commitment and compliance, e.g:- 1) Give a brief description of your business/activity. Who are your customers? 2) Describe how you feel about the environment and Staffordshire. (Total 8 questions)

8. The Application (2) A business must undertake the free on-line Visit England Green Start process. This is a basic environmental assessment and is a straightforward, base entry requirement. Green Start details at:- www.bettertourism.org A business must also undertake energy, waste, water and carbon audits. www.energysavingtrust.org.uk (Total 6 questions)

9. The Application (3) Through a further 22 questions a business can show how it helps people to fall in love with Staffordshire. Each question has 6-10 guidance bullet points. Each bullet point is an actual business practice.

10. The Application (3 cont.) It is only necessary to answer the questions that fit your business. Headings include:- Marketing and promotion Enquiry/booking/ point of sale and administration Transport, arrival, distribution Place, view, access, your immediate surroundings, facilities Services and Processes including purchasing, laundry, food, manufacturing, farming Staffordshire Environment Staffordshire Culture and Heritage People, including employees, local and global communities Other activities including innovation

11. How do you reduce the negative impact of your cleaning processes? How does the customer know? Do you use low or no-chemical, eco cleaning products and low temperature washes? E-cloths (where no cleaning products are needed). Natural recipes for cleaning? If you use a laundry do they have good environmental standards? • Examples: • Many old remedies e.g. vinegar and lemon juice also used for cleaning • Housekeeping contractors use steam cleaners and natural products where possible (although occasional stubborn stains are treated if needed) • Farm overalls and general washing is done with Ecover non-bio washing powder • We explain how we chose which laundry to use (because of their green credentials) on our ‘please reuse your towels’ card in our bathrooms • Cleaning materials supplied in the cottages are only environmentally friendly products so visitors can try them.

12. Our answer • Vinegar used for cleaning museum glass display cabinets. • Old sheets etc used for dusters etc. • No washing of dusters etc carried out on site - when necessary staff take washing home and wash with eco-friendly products. • Staff make purchases for museum cleaning materials with their own shopping. • Our vacuum cleaner was donated by a volunteer who no longer needed it.

13. Planned EQM activity Each question must be followed by a planned action for the forthcoming 12 months. With regard to the above Service/Process question our planned action was simply:- To test lemon as an alternative to metal polish for cleaning metal components of exhibits.

14. Customer/Visitor How can your customers and visitors give you their feedback and share their ideas with you about environmental issues and keeping Staffordshire special? • Examples: • We have a customer comments book. • We ask guests for their ‘green ideas’ on a form in their room. • Our website has a link for customers to make eco suggestions. • We take part in a regional survey where visitors opinions are gathered.

15. Our answers • Staff engage with visitors on a ‘one to one’ basis and encourage feedback. • We have a Visitors’ Book for comments. • We invite visitors to complete Stoke-on-Trent Tourism questionnaires when available. • The museum has a Facebook page where comments can be left. The planned EQM activity for this question was:- To develop social networking media opportunities e.g trip Advisor etc.

16. So how did we do? • The awards committee commented:- • “There is great personal commitment by staff and volunteers to reduce the environmental effect of the organisation. • Re-use of equipment is common and recycling is central to day to day operations. • The bottle oven has been restored in keeping with the local environment and celebration of north Staffordshire’s pottery heritage takes place. • Promotion of Dudson’s own role in safeguarding this heritage and other Staffordshire Valued Characteristics takes place”. • So far so good!

17. However! • The panel also noted that:- • There is a high energy consumption associated with the lighting technology used to light the displays (central to the museum’s activities) and consequently a large carbon footprint. • A significant reduction in these levels is forecast as new LED lighting is trialled but as yet, no evidence is available.

18. Decision “In view of this lighting issue, the panel has decided to defer award of the mark until such time as new lighting has been trialled and shown to have an effect on energy consumption. By this, we do not suggest that a complete replacement of all lighting at one go is necessary, rather that gradual replacement or management is driving down consumption and that the organisation is actively working towards this.”

19. Our problem.... .....bottle ovens are dark and cold! .

20. .....and require a lot of lighting......

21. ........and heating!

22. The Solution • Desk lamps and other peripheral lights replaced with low energy bulbs. That was the easy bit - but these were not the major offenders! • LED lighting was trialled and found to not be suitable in our environment i.e. the quality of light did not enhance the ceramic exhibits. • So what else could we do?

23. Creative thinking! Having trialled LED lighting and having replaced fan heaters with halogen heaters where appropriate, the only other option seemed to be mainly with regard to lighting management. We have:- Overhead lighting on beams on two floors. Central cabinet lighting on two floors. Perimeter cabinet lighting on two floors.

24. How could we reduce the number of lights?

25. Ground floor

26. Measures taken to reduce lighting • All individual desk lamps etc replaced with ES bulbs. • All upper floor overhead beam lighting disabled. • All ground floor overhead beam lighting disabled (except over desk/counter area). • Upper floor central cabinet lighting manually controlled as and when required. • Positive visitor feedback – visitors comment that the lighting is now more atmospheric! • Energy consumption reduced by 34%(April-December 2011), compared with similar period 2010.

27. Second SEQM Application The panel had suggested that answers in parts other than the lighting issue would not need to be re-submitted and were impressed with the measures we had taken regarding the lighting, commenting as follows:- “The business is to be commended on the many activities it undertakes to reduce its environmental impact. The panel is particularly impressed with the measures taken to reduce energy consumption through a mixture of new lighting technologies and lighting management. This will certainly be used as an example to other applicants of the benefits that the SEQM process can achieve for business.”

28. Why get involved? • Opportunity to promote the brilliant things that Staffordshire businesses are doing. • Help to build the destination’s brand. • If Staffordshire can prove they have brilliant green businesses, they can excel at a National and International level. • Support local and global communities. • Demonstrate that your business is sustainable. • Network with like-minded businesses. • First year’s membership of Staffordshire Business Environment Network (SBEN) free. • Opens other ‘green’ doors.

29. Lead the customer to have more fun and a better experience and value. • Encourage repeat visitors. • Help the business to be more profitable. • Increase promotional opportunities. • Advantageous for future funding opportunities. • Use of SEQM logo in publicity and marketing. • Be regarded as a trusted and celebrated custodian of Staffordshire. “The SEQM businesses are THE businesses that the scheme owner TRUSTS, CELEBRATES and refers to.”

30. The End • Thank you – with apologies for the dubious clip-art!