GREEN GUIDE - Markham Publishing

CREATE Centre Bristol – a partnershipfor a sustainable futureThe CREATE Centre grew out of several years of partnership betweenenvironmental groups and local agencies, local and central government,the private and voluntary sector and many enthusiastic individuals.The vision of this partnership was to create a focusfor private, public and voluntary sector organisationsto use energy, water and transport efficientlyand to recycle resources in Bristol. The aim was toimprove the quality of life of its inhabitants and createa framework for sustainable development in thecity into the 21st century.In 1994, Bristol City Council brought together allthese groups in a mulit-million pound developmentthat saw the transformation of ‘B Bond’, formerly anEdwardian tobacco warehouse situated between theRiver Avon and the Cumberland Basin, into a ‘centrefor environmental excellence’.The CREATE Centre is building an environmentalvision for the future. Owned and managed byBristol City Council, it benefits from the partnershipof the many leading edge and influential partnersbased in the building.Since 1994 CREATE has become home to manyorganisations. These include: Bristol City Council (BCC) Teams: EnergyManagement Unit; Sustainable DevelopmentGroup (which includes the CREATE team); andthe Environmental Quality Team; Bristol Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (BEAC); Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE); Future West (business, education and employment); British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV); The Recycling Consortium; Schumacher Society (Ecological publications andlectures); Training Learning Consultancy (training on sustainablebusiness); Travel Foundation (sustainable travel); Voscur (voluntary sector and community groups).In 1997 a full-size demonstration Ecohome wasadded at the side of CREATE, offering public andprofessionals alike a chance to view examples oflow-impact design, materials and renewable energy.The CREATE building itself uses ‘greywater’ (rainwater)to flush the toilets, heat sensitive lighting inlow-use areas such as stairwells, has a comprehensiverecycling policy and promotes cycling to workthrough extensive, secure bike parking.CREATE has meeting rooms, a 70-seater auditorium,a recycling exhibition, gallery, café and aresource library in the Ecohome. These featuresmake CREATE the ideal venue for events with anenvironment and sustainability focus. A recentexample was the launch of the Green Register, a neworganisation uniting groups working in the area ofsustainable building and delivering training tobuilding professionals.Each year CREATE runs lectures and open days.These include an annual ‘Festive Fayre’ offering jadedshoppers a one-stop shop for eco presents, helping tosupport local business and artisans as well as promotingenvironmental and ethical buying choices.Another key annual event is ‘Tomorrow’s Homes’ – analternative Homes and Gardens exhibition.CREATE hosts activities during Fairtrade Fortnightevery year, with extra fair trade foods in the café,displays, schools activities and events.Many of the organisations based at CREATE offerdirect advice to individuals and to business on energyefficiency, renewables, recycling, composting,ethical purchasing, training and more – some haveseparate entries in this guide. 397