Eco-champions update: New tailored solutions across our centres

Capital Space has been on a mission to reduce our carbon footprint for several years now. We’re excited to share the latest updates from our dedicated eco-champions, who have been hard at work implementing green initiatives across our business centres. These efforts not only benefit the planet but also create a more sustainable and cost-effective environment for your business to thrive.

Creative recycling solutions

Our Milton Keynes Business Centre is leading the charge with innovative recycling projects. Recently, the team have recycled a glass container and planted succulents to create a terrarium, which now adorns the reception desk, adding a touch of green to the reception.

As part of a kitchen-clear out, unwanted items will find new homes through Freecycle, reducing waste and supporting the local community as well as unwanted pictures from the Greenway Business Centre meeting rooms in Harlow having been donated to charity shops.

To ensure we are responsibly disposing of IT equipment, we have partnered with National Asset Disposals who collect items to ensure they are not thrown into landfill, as well as provide certification with each collection. This initiative has been used not just in Milton Keynes, but also in St George’s Business Park in Sittingbourne.

We have also teamed up with Valpack to recycle old batteries at St George’s Business Park.

Energy saving measures

At Capital Space, we’re dedicated to reducing our environmental impact, while enhancing the efficiency of our workspaces. Each of our business centres is implementing unique energy-saving initiatives tailored to their specific needs.

At Waterhouse Business Centre in Chelmsford we’re trialling various insulation options across three studio ceilings to monitor heat loss and improve energy efficiency. This will provide useful feedback which can be used to help our other centres. Additionally, we’re upgrading exterior lighting to LED lights with sensors and have installed solar panels recycled from Churchill Square on Block D.

In Harlow we’ve installed a PIR sensor in the shower room to control lighting and the extraction fan, ensuring they operate only when needed. We’re also considering similar sensors for our meeting rooms, to optimise our lighting efficiency.

Loughton Seedbed Centre is benefiting from new glass mineral wool insulation, made from 84% recycled glass, and a Green Guide A+, as part of a roof replacement project. This insulation enhances thermal efficiency, keeping the workshops warmer in winter and cooler in summer. We’ve also cleaned skylights to maximise natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.

Water conservation initiatives

We are also taking significant steps to improve water conservation within our centres. Plans are in place to install sensor taps in new communal areas, which will help minimise water waste.

Additionally, we are working on rainwater collection systems in Milton Keynes that will further enhance our sustainability efforts. An innovative approach is being adopted across a few of our centres, whereby leftover drinking water from meeting rooms is used to irrigate the plants in each centre. These efforts contribute to a more sustainable use of resources and set an example for responsible business practices that can help your business reach its ESG goals.

Embracing nature in our centres  

Our centres are transforming into vibrant ecosystems that support local wildlife and enhance the working environment for our customers.

At Greenway, bug hotels and bee shelters are thriving, creating a rich habitat for local insect populations. These initiatives provide a unique backdrop for businesses looking to connect with nature.

Milton Keynes is seeding wildflower areas to support pollinators, creating a more pleasant outdoor atmosphere. Strategic placement of bird boxes is encouraging biodiversity. There are also exciting plans to introduce outdoor exercise equipment, to promote employee wellbeing and foster a sense of community.

In Sittingbourne, we’re taking sustainability to the next level. Recycled material benches are being installed, and wood trimmings from hedge maintenance are being repurposed as mulch for border areas. These efforts not only reduce waste but also create a more sustainable landscape.

These additions will promote employee wellbeing, and create a dynamic, health-focused workspace that inspires creativity and success.

If you are an SME who wants a flexible, serviced workspace that prioritises sustainability get in touch.