8 steps to a More sustainable building

1. green mark everything!

Mark all energy consuming outlets with clear green stickers reminding users of the DO’s and DON’T’s of usage: lights, heating, cookers, water etc.

Check electricity, gas and water use every month and try to reduce usage. This will save you money too!

2. save Water!

Signs over sinks could read “5 liters of water comes out of this tap per minute – don’t waste it!”

Check for leaks, including underground leaks, and mend. One dripping tap can waste 20,000 liters of water a year!

Look for water efficiency labels on products.

If you don’t have a water meter, install one.

Make sure all machines and appliances not in use are turned off.

3. Turn it off!

Make sure all rooms not in use have their lights and heating off.

In particular, check the building before leaving at night.

Start with easy and cheap insulation: make sure all gaps, cracks and holes are filled; insulate attics; seal windows and doors.

4. insulate!

Heat escapes through walls, windows and roofs.

Install a wormery for the conversion of organic matter into fertiliser that you can then use or even sell!

5. recycle!Set up recycling in your building, creating clear and useable bins for separating trash in a way that works for local recycling collection.

Ban junk mail.

6. trash Management

Buy in bulk and cut down on packaging.

Use reusable bags and boxes.

Use reusable cups, plates, cutlery etc.

Give away or sell unwanted items. Reuse packaging, plastic bags, containers, envelopes etc.

Look for appliances with the Energy Star label or look for the appliance star rating.

Install energy efficient bulbs.

7. Choose Efficient Products

The team appoints and actively supports someone to be responsible for sustainability issues.

8. Active Intervention

Build sustainability awareness within your whole team. Everyone should have ownership of a sustainability policy.

Draw up a plan that this person then implements e.g. they check energy usage on a monthly basis; set up and monitor the trash recycling; make sure the building is ‘switched off’ every night; etc.

Engine Room Europe is a three year programme (April 2011-May 2014) of activities dedicated to independent cultural workers and their creative processes. It is initiated by Trans Europe Halles (TEH) and co-ordinated by Melkweg (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) in association with 10 co-organ-izing TEH members. Engine Room Europe has been funded with the support of the European Com-mission. This publication [communication] reflects the view only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

text: Sandy FitzgeraldCover photograph: ufaFabrik, Berlinlayout: Sandy Fitzgerald, Anna WeitzGraphic design: Daan Drubbel

This publication is produced under a Creative Commons Licence 3.0 Unported (Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike). You may copy, distribute and show in public the texts and translations for non-commercial purposes. Trans Europe Halles, 2013

This slide show is an outcome of Creative Strategies of Sustainability (CSOS), an Engine Room Europe project for Trans Europe Halles, led by ufaFabrik, Berlin, Germany, Project Manager Sigrid Niemer. Thanks to Werner Wiartalla and Camille De Wit for contributions to this slide show.

Further information: www.teh.net and www.ufafabrik.de

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