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Sustainability

At The Mermaid London, we believe we have a responsibility to act in the most sustainable way possible to protect our planet for future generations. Minimising the environmental impact of our operations is an ongoing commitment, and while we’ve already taken meaningful steps to reduce our carbon footprint, we know there’s more to be done.

On this page, we share the progress we’ve made so far, from energy use to waste management and catering. On our policy page, we outline the standards you can expect from us and our goals for the future. In our guide, we explore what makes a sustainable event and offer practical ways you can run one at The Mermaid London.

These pages will form part of a living document, and we look forward to embracing the challenge and sharing our progress with you as we go.

Product Launches

The venue

  • We are easily accessible by public transport which reduces the need for delegates to travel to the venue by car. We’re just 2-minutes from Blackfriars Station and 6-minutes from St Paul’s station. We’re also approximately 40-minutes from London’s City Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.
  • Our cleaning products are eco-friendly and free from parabens.
  • Refill drinking water stations are situated throughout the venue.
  • Our fabrics, carpets, flooring and furniture are made from upcycled materials.
  • Our AV partners, Rockit, can create a bespoke live-streaming package which reduces the need for excessive travel.
  • The partition walls of our Newgate space are all whiteboards – perfect for mind-mapping workshops, teambuilding activities and a unique way to present your ideas without using paper.

Energy

  • All our lighting uses energy efficient LED bulbs, which consume between 75-90% less electricity to produce the same amount of light. 
  • There are motion-sensitive lights in 90% of our spaces, saving energy when not in use. The remaining 10% are auditorium lights which will be replaced with energy efficient options when they reach the end of their life cycle.
  • We use a Building Management System (BMS) to set and control room temperatures and monitor water temperatures. While water usage is not tracked through the BMS, we monitor overall water consumption using on-site water meters and utility bills.
  • Our team is trained to prioritise energy conservation throughout our operations.
  • We perform twice daily checks, monitoring all light bulbs, taps, and temperature settings.
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Waste

  • Automated taps and a Cistermiser controlled urinal flush system reduces the amount of water wasted.
  • We partner with First Mile recycling and waste management providers and we do not send any waste to landfill. Anything that can’t be recycled generates green energy rather than going to landfill.
  • We work closely with our chefs and clients to ensure we do not create food waste in the first place. Any food waste is collected by First Mile, anaerobically digested, and used to generate electricity.
  • Our catering team has completed the Guardians of Grub course, to help them tackle food waste.
  • We have eliminated all single-use plastic.
  • We use reusable glass bottles and Kilners in our meeting rooms.
  • We use porcelain crockery for refreshment breaks, except in the auditorium where we offer a bio-degradable alternative.
  • We recycle 100% of our paper, card, glass, cans and plastic waste.
  • Our office chairs are sourced second-hand rather than bought new.
  • We extend the life of our old computers by donating them to a local church for community use.

Catering

  • Our on-site caterer Seasoned specialises in seasonal and locally sourced products – in 2024 60% of their products were sourced from within 50 miles and by 2030 they aim for 80% of products to be sourced locally.
  • We use Fairtrade tea and coffee from the organic and Rainforest Alliance Certified Nemi Teas, and London-based social enterprise Spike coffee.
  • Our Alpro non-dairy milk alternatives include soya, almond and oat options.
  • We use Tate & Lyle Fairtrade rough cut lump sugar.
  • We only offer MSC (Marine Conservation Society) certified fish.
  • 35% of our menu is plant-based as standard, and we can provide fully plant-based menus on request.
a plate of food with asparagus and cheese
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Awards and qualifications

  • We are proud to have earned the Gold EcoSmart certification, which reflects our efforts to meet recognised environmental standards.
  • We have two nominated sustainability champions.
  • All our staff complete regular sustainability training with Greengage and The Mermaid London provides updates throughout the year on progress.