Recycle materials
A music club is not an island but part of social life. True to the DIY philosophy of the early days, we are building a socially engaged and ecological music house, and are constantly looking for ways of making our operation more budget and people friendly.
4AD team
“in 2014, the outer walls of the pub were insulated with recycled materials”
A few examples of ‘sustainable’ practices from the pioneering years:
at the 4AD hotel, artists sleep in beds made from recycled materials
the pub is furnished with second-hand tables and chairs, originally from a football club canteen
our voluntary house chefs consciously serve artists vegetarian meals
since the middle of the 1990s, 4AD has been providing Fairtrade products
in 1999, we were the first club to swap plastic disposable cups for recyclable cups
Charter Duurzaam Ondernemen
Gradually, our DIY ideology became part of a wider social story. In 2004-5, the organisation stepped things up a gear in terms of ecological engagement with the build of the current premises.
Some of the measures taken include:
4AD is a building inside a building; the original unit was salvaged 100% and the concrete dome on the outside provides optimal (acoustic) insulation
Two 20,000-litre rainwater tanks allow for rainwater to be reused
34 solar panels were fitted on the roof
in October 2010, 4AD was the first music club to opt for LED podium lights
in 2013, an eco-coach and -team were appointed, responsible for the annual Eco-Day with Repair Café, swishing, eco-workshops …
creation of own herb garden, with insect hotel
in 2014, the outer walls of the pub were insulated with recycled materials
In 2014, our efforts were rewarded a third time by Charter Duurzaam Ondernemen, a Flemish initiative for the promotion and evaluation of sustainable business policies.
The first carbon-neutral art house in Flanders?
Despite our efforts, scientific research has shown that our annual emissions still amount to 66 tonnes of CO2 and that audience transport is responsible for 40% of these emissions as our rural region is not accessible by public transport.
Consequently, in 2014, a new dream was born: 4AD wants to be the first carbon-neutral art house in Flanders. Carbon compensation is the logical step towards neutralising the remaining amount of emissions. We want to take this final hurdle on our ecological journey by … planting a 4AD forest.
From ecological cleaning products to solar panels to the 4AD forest: 4AD is committed to finding ways to further reduce and compensate for our emissions. Because as an individual, organisation or company, we all play a part in the future of our planet.