Helping Depot Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle using Toucan Eco

Depot, an award-winning independent cinema and café-restaurant in Lewes, East Sussex, offers a diverse program of mainstream, art house, and independent films, along with special events and workshops. Here we learn how Depot reduces, reuses, and recycles using Toucan Eco products.

As a not-for-profit organization with Charitable Trust status, Depot has a dedicated team of six trustees, 85 employees, and 55 volunteers. Green Ambassador Natasha Padbury explains their green credentials:

“This dates back to the renovation of the old depot site in 2013. From the design stage, we aimed to be a sustainable venue, both socially and environmentally. Sustainability was embedded in our DNA,” she said.

“A significant part of our mission was to be a flagship cultural venue, incorporating renewable power sources, ground heat pumps, and solar panels on a living roof of wildflowers, which support biodiversity and pollinators.

“The remainder of our energy comes from 100% renewable suppliers. We also have an A-rated energy performance certificate, thanks to double and triple glazing, and natural ventilation throughout the building,” she added.

Depot’s comprehensive sustainability policy includes sustainability in managerial job descriptions, procurement guidelines, a zero landfill policy, and an extensive waste policy recycling 88% of their waste.

Reducing Plastic Cleaning Waste

Depot faced a challenge with plastic waste in the janitorial category. Natasha explained: “We have a reduce, reuse, and recycle policy. Whilst auditing our waste streams, we found significant amounts of plastic in the janitorial category. Even though much of it was recycled, we felt the need to make further reductions.

“That’s why I contacted HOME Manchester, pioneers in sustainability, and they introduced me to Toucan Eco.”

The Greener Way to Clean

Toucan Eco uses tap water and salt, through electrochemical activation, to create a multipurpose disinfectant cleaning solution. The devices, available in various sizes, produce a solution certified to EN antiviral and antibacterial tests, eliminating over 99.999% of germs.

Its active compounds, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and a low concentration of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), create a powerful, eco-friendly, and safe solution. Depot chose the Toucan Eco Active model, which makes 10 liters of disinfectant in 15 minutes. The solution can be used to spray, wipe, or mop any surface.

Depot’s Use of Toucan Eco

Natasha explains: “Toucan Eco is used across all teams at Depot, especially during the pandemic. It’s used as a surface cleaner for tables, floors, glass panels, kitchens, and bathrooms. The only other cleaning products we use are a degreaser and descaler.

“It’s used by our three dedicated cleaners and 50 staff in our bar, restaurant, kitchen, offices, and box office. All 85 staff now use it, as cleaning and disinfecting have never been more important.

“Feedback is that staff love that it doesn’t contain synthetic chemicals and isn’t harsh or smelly. They feel safe using it and prefer it to previous chemical cleaners.”

A Sustainable Technology That Saves Money

For Depot, reducing plastic waste and building a sustainable organization are key goals. The cost of purchasing Toucan Eco Active model will pay for itself in less than 18 months. Depot is saving around £1,500 ($3000 AUD) a year and eliminating about 300 single-use plastic bottles from waste streams.

Depot recently won the Highest Achievement for Commitment prize at the national Creative Green Awards 2020, recognizing cultural organizations for embedding sustainability.