Sustainability doesn’t happen in silos. It happens when people, systems and suppliers pull in the same direction. At award-winning London events venue RCP London Events, waste management is a core part of how the venue runs responsibly - proving what’s possible when collaboration is taken seriously.
The results speak for themselves: zero waste sent to landfill, 76% average recycling rate across 2025 and 18 separate waste streams managed on site. This isn’t about ticking boxes. At RCP London Events, we're proud to foster a culture where sustainability is embedded into everyday operations, from seasonal event catering and eco-friendly cleaning products to 100% green energy and thriving ecosystems.
Central to the venue’s waste strategy is a robust service level agreement with recycling partner First Mile. The agreement guarantees zero landfill waste and prioritises recycling wherever possible.
In 2025, RCP London Events achieved a 78% recycling rate, diverting 22.7 tonnes of waste from landfill, saving 41.7 tonnes of CO2 and producing 10.2kW of energy for the national grid. The team is incredibly proud of the results, yet sees them as a launchpad. The next focus: reducing contamination, improving separation at source and lowering the overall carbon footprint of waste.
Long before anything reaches a bin, RCP London Events focuses on eliminating waste at source. This preventative mindset has delivered some major wins such as 100% elimination of single-use plastics, plastic water bottles removed entirely, 100% recycling of paper, card, glass, cans and plastic and all food waste collected separately and diverted to anaerobic digestion or composting.
Crucially, these changes are embedded across departments, making sustainability a shared responsibility.
All waste from the venue is treated as 18 carefully managed material streams.
Staff have access to clearly labelled waste streams including: general waste, mixed recycling, flexible plastics, paper, confidential waste, food waste (staff and kitchen), garden waste, cardboard, WEEE, batteries, light bulbs, used cooking oil, paper towels, toner cartridges, bulk waste, clothing and glass.
Each stream follows a defined, transparent route managed by First Mile:
This precision reduces contamination and actively supports the circular economy.
Food waste is one area where staff engagement has delivered real results. In 2024 alone, RCP London Events achieved a 20% reduction in food waste, driven by awareness and smarter use of food scraps. For example, kitchen food waste is weighed to inform future strategy before being sent to anaerobic digestion, where it is converted into electricity for the National Grid, with compost produced as a by-product. Staff food waste is collected separately in back-of-house bins but processed alongside kitchen waste for efficiency.
Even the most carefully designed waste systems will only work if the people using them understand how they operate. At RCP London Events, all cleaning staff receive site-specific training on waste and recycling procedures, ensuring that practices are consistent across teams and shifts. To maintain high standards and identify opportunities for improvement, performance is monitored through regular audits.
At least once a year, a full waste audit is conducted in partnership with First Mile, and these are supplemented by quarterly internal on-site audits. During these audits, waste bags are physically sorted to check for contamination, meaning that when issues are identified, they can be traced back to their source and corrected quickly.
Sustainability at RCP London Events influences design and procurement, too.
During the recent refurbishment of our Wolfson Theatre, sustainable materials were prioritised within the constraints of the Grade-listed building. A standout feature is the carpet in the Wolfson Theatre and Linacre and Sloane Rooms, made from recycled fishing nets transformed into ECONYL® yarn.
Event logistics were also tackled. From September 2025, a charge for client pallet disposal was introduced, resulting in a dramatic drop in pallet waste, with many now returned to suppliers or reused by drivers.
RCP London Events’ sustainability efforts extend beyond the building and into the venue’s outdoor spaces. In January 2020, the venue installed an on-site composting system, a move that proved invaluable during the pandemic by allowing sustainable waste management to continue independently.
The system comprises eight linked 900-litre hot composting bins, leaf mould bins specifically for London Plane tree leaves, and three worm bins that produce both vermicompost and liquid feed. Additionally, a demonstration Hot Bin is used for educational purposes, helping staff and visitors understand how composting works. The compost produced through this system is returned directly to the gardens, effectively closing the loop between landscape care and organic waste. This approach shows that circular systems do not need to be complicated; they only need to be carefully planned and intentionally implemented.
Waste management at RCP London Events is complemented by broader environmental initiatives that go beyond simply handling waste. The venue operates on 100% renewable energy, supported by upgraded electrical systems, including LED lighting and sensor controls, which help to significantly reduce energy consumption. In addition, paper use has been addressed across the organisation. Following a major reduction in print volumes, all printing from September 2025 onwards has been done on recycled paper, further minimising the environmental impact of day-to-day operations.
What makes RCP London Events’ approach work is our culture.
Waste from events is carefully collected front-of-house. Staff across all departments actively participate in separation, reduction and reuse. Supplier partnerships and training keep standards high and momentum strong.
As we look ahead, the focus remains on maintaining excellent standards, reducing waste further and aligning waste management with wider sustainability goals, because sustainability works best when everyone plays a part.
Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place
Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4LE
Registered charity no. 210508
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