In order to achieve a 93% diversion rate, similar to the methodology laid out by the GBCSA, reduction of waste was the highest priority for Virgin Active Constantia.

Waste was reduced greatly through addressing food waste and over-packaging/non-recyclables in the cafe.

The waste streams have been separated into recyclables, organic waste and general waste (on-site recovery) to ensure as little waste as possible ends up in the general waste bin destined for landfill.

What about the remaining 7%?

Similarly to how energy is often equated to carbon in the process of offsetting a building’s carbon emissions, the same can be done with the carbon footprint associated with an amount of waste sent to landfill.

As such, in order to calculate the carbon equivalent of the 7% currently not being diverted, Defra factors were used to ascertain how much carbon offsets needed to be purchased to neutralise the remaining negative impact.

The CO2 offset was purchased through impactChoice from the accredited project CarbonGreen Africa: Kariba REDD+ Project in Zimbabwe. It is validated by VCS and Issued by South Pole Carbon.

Going forward

12 months of carbon offsetting has been purchased to date with commitment to purchase further. The gym also supports further diversion from landfill through providing bins for members to bring their recyclables from home to be recycled through the Virgin Active scheme.