Sustainability
Hereford College of Arts recognises the climate emergency is one of the most urgent problems facing human society and life on our planet.
Leading through action and education
Material innovation
Cutting carbon at HCA
The College has committed to becoming a Net Zero Carbon institution by 2030. This is significant undertaking given the scale and age of both campuses - but it is underpinned by a robust action plan overseen by the Principal, and supported by the College's Sustainability Committee.
At HCA you will have the chance to take a free, one-day carbon literacy course to better understand the environmental impact of your own choices.
All staff and students are encouraged to take the training. The session covers strategies for reducing your individual impact on the planet, but also gives you a deep insight into carbon intensive proceeses and industries more generally.
Students use that to inform their practice as artists and designers after leaving HCA, and also to inform their advocacy on the subject and push for change in those industries.
The new Digital Skills Centre represents the most significant recent upgrade to the campus' historic building stock in several years, and sustainability was a key part of the brief.
Designed by award-winning architect Kate Darby to Net Zero standards, large photovoltaic panels on top of the Courtyard Studio to offset energy usage, while the interiors include ocean-salvage plastic and 100% recycled polyester.
Sustainability on campus
On our campus cafes have banned single-use plastics (cutlery and takeaway containers) to reduce waste.
The cafe also sources as much produce locally as possible, and run a meat-free menu on Wednesdays to reduce our carbon impact.
We are lucky to be located in a part of the UK where nature is a part of your everyday - and our students and staff believe strongly in safeguarding that.
In recent years, the college has planted wildflower banks and trees at Folly Lane, and manages the grassland in front of the College Road campus to encourage biodiversity.
Students have also been empowered to grow vegetables in beds next to the College Road campus.
We promote the use of active travel options, and the Station Approach student accommodation is located next to a bus stop for Hereford's free, electric Zipper bus service.
Both campuses also have secure bike parking, and College Road now has an allocated bay for the city's bikeshare (and e-bikeshare) scheme, Beryl Bikes.
A well-stocked materials store - in addition to great connections at local Scrap Stores - enable students to minimise costs as well their environmental impact by reusing materials for prototyping or at the outset of their design projects.
Both campuses have numerous recycling hubs to enable students to drop-off unwanted items including electrics, as well as other materials for recycling.
These are collected by Pedicargo, a local recycling company who operate using cargo bikes.
While you will want and need to print design work on specific paper, our standard printers are set up to default to using recycled paper for the majority of printed documents.
While the college encourages staff and students to minimise unnecessary printing, this provides a more environmentally-conscious option for day-to-day print jobs.
The River Wye is an incredible natural resource, and a key part of city life.
The local Save the Wye campaign is a great example of how art and activism can combine to create local impact on important issues.
In support of the campaign Post-16 students created large installations fabricated from litter to raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding the river's water quality condition - gaining local media attention.
Similarly an BA(hons) Illustration student designed the branding and local for the Save the Lugg campaign, in support of another local river.
Want to get involved?
If you want join - or work with - the HCA Sustainability Committee, reach out to Jess Bugler using the button below.
The Committee is always looking for new project partners, funding opportunities and students to get involved and have a role shaping the sustainable future of the college.
How are we doing?
Every year HCA audits our progress towards a more sustainable campus. You can read the most recent report below.
Read more