Manchester Central Commit to Reduce and Rebalance Staff Carbon Footprint
Manchester Central is the first major events venue of its kind to strike up a partnership with Play It Green.
Their new initiative is helping to reduce and rebalance the carbon footprint of its team members.
This is done through reforestation, education, and knowledge sharing.
As one of the UK’s largest and most versatile event venues, Manchester Central employs around 125 full-
time people.
The first step of its partnership with Play It Green is to establish a Climate Positive Workforce.
Following on from signing up, 13 trees are planted monthly for every member of the team.
These trees are enough to rebalance their personal footprints.
Play It Green will also work with Manchester Central to further educate the workforce and strengthen the sustainability culture within the business.
As well as this, every team member receives their own ‘Forest Garden’.
The forest garden is a personalised information hub to help them and the business take positive steps in their sustainability journeys.
All team members will also receive weekly tips, discounts and education through the initiative to help their personal journey of sustainability.
Manchester Central Supports UN Sustainable Development Goals
Trees planted as part of the initiative will support employment and communities in developing nations.
As well as this, it directly supports ten of the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The trees planted in 2023 via Play It Green will absorb 1,439.1 tonnes of CO2 emissions within the next six years.
This is the equivalent of taking 1,058 cars off the road or 11,963 people cancelling their short-haul flights.
The partnership comes as Manchester Central continues to bolster its sustainability credentials.
Having already produced its Shaping a Sustainable Future whitepaper last year.
Manchester Central published its findings after surveying more than 150 events professionals to understand current and future priorities.
There were a number of challenges highlighted by respondents across the events industry – which is worth more than £70bn to the UK’s economy.
These included costs, lack of clarity and training, as well as greenwashing.
Quotes
Shaun Hinds, CEO, Manchester Central
“Our sustainability strategy is core to the business and we’re really pleased to be working with Play It Green to take even bigger steps towards realising our ambitions.
Learning more about sustainability and reducing carbon footprint must be about investing in and embedding really strong practices.
Practices which have long-lasting positive impacts on the business and also our people.
This is a fantastic opportunity to make further tangible progress for our staff members.
I’d implore others in the events industry to consider such options as we collectively have the ability to shape real change.”
Richard Dickson - Play It Green Co-Founder
“We are delighted to be working with such an iconic and prestigious venue in Manchester Central.
We are two Manchester companies working together for
the benefit of their business, their people and the planet.
Play It Green was born out of walks in the park in Manchester and we support the city’s ambition to be net zero by 2038.
Something that will only be achieved through collaboration.”
Two Manchester Companies Collaborating Together
Manchester Central has a roadmap of targets to achieve its 2030 sustainability pledges, specifically around waste management and utility reduction. The events organisation will also be promoting the Play it Green initiative to
clients and service providers to encourage others to commit to reducing their own carbon footprints.
The venue, situated in the heart of Manchester, is one of the UK’s largest and most versatile event venues with over 23,000m² of space and a capacity of over 10,000. The venue attracts over half a million visitors to the city each year and provides vital support to the local economy.
Play it Green, the brainchild of two Manchester dads, Chris Thair and Richard Dickson, is a unique subscription service starting at £5 per person per month. It aims to reduce the carbon footprint of people and businesses whilst ensuring they make an ongoing environmental and social impact on their journey to net zero.
The social impact is made as 10% of all subscriptions are regifted to a local good cause of each member’s choice. Manchester Central has selected local charity St Ann’s Hospice, helping support local families at times when it is needed most.
Play It Green
Play It Green is a subscription service that helps people and businesses to take a journey of sustainability.
Through our 3-step solution, we support footprint reduction, repairing the planet through reforestation and increasing social impact by regiving 10% of turnover to charity.
That’s a lot of positive impact for £5 per person per month and more value than a coffee and a piece of cake!
You can use the button below to sign up!
