Community & Sustainability

Grand Arcade works to be an active member of our community through our charity partnerships, sustainability work, and links with local organisations. Every year we drive sustainability through or recycling schemes and by investing in energy saving measures. We seek to be a positive member of our community by supporting a number of worthy charities and in addition we work with local organisations and festivals to support and promote events in our region.

Sustainability Policy

At Grand Arcade we set targets and implement initiatives to reduce the consumption of energy and water, and minimise the production of waste by increasing recycling rates. Our energy, water and waste performance is monitored at monthly meetings. We consider environmental and social factors when we select external suppliers and actively promote socio-economic, biodiversity and community opportunities.

SAVE WATER

Over the last 12 months we saved 200 m3 of water which is enough to fill 2 full size swimming pools.

Zero to Landfill

The UK sends approximately 46 million tonnes of waste to landfill every year (gov.uk). Last year, we contributed nothing towards this total, as absolutely none of our waste goes to landfill.

Useful Plastic

Over the past 12 months we recycled 4 tonnes of mixed plastic, this is enough to make 8,000 fleece jackets (snvplastics.com).

Save the Trees

In the past 12 months we recycled 84 tonnes of cardboard, this saves 1,400 trees being cut down to use for packaging (packsize.com).

Hazardous Waste

We recycle batteries, light bulbs, ink cartridges and waste electrical safely. Stopping hazardous materials entering our environment.

Alzheimer’s Society

Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity. We provide information and support, improve care, fund research, and create lasting change for people affected by dementia. Every three minutes someone in the UK develops dementia and, by 2025, 1 million people will be living with dementia in the UK. We’re developing our innovative Dementia Connect service which will make sure people will get the right support in the right way. Life with dementia is hard enough but the last year has intensified the everyday challenges people living with dementia – and their carers - face. During the coronavirus crisis, people affected by dementia have lost skills, confidence, and their connection to the world around them. Alzheimer’s Society’s lifeline support services were the emergency service for people affected by dementia in the depths of the crisis and they will continue to be until the pandemic is over.

Waste Weight

In the past 12 months we have segregated over 99% of waste on site which is 400 tonnes. This is equal to 47 double decker busses.

NO to SINGLE-USE PLASTIC

Grand Arcade is now part of the Refill Water Bottles national scheme. We also encourage our cafes and restaurants, as well as our clients and employees, to replace plastic straws with eco-friendly alternatives, and to recycle their coffee cups.

Cam Sight

Cam Sight is a local charity supporting children and adults with sight loss across Cambridgeshire. The charity began life as the Cambridge Society for the Blind in 1912 and has served Cambridgeshire for over 100 years. Cam Sight provides free practical and emotional support through a range of services and activities to improve mental and physical well-being and to inspire opportunities and independence. Services include: volunteers; counselling; sports and leisure activities; support groups for children, young people and adults; community outreach workers; mobile support unit; equipment and technology.

East Anglian Air Ambulance

East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) is a local charity that exists to save lives by delivering highly skilled doctors and critical care paramedics by air or car to people involved in life-threatening accidents or medical emergencies, 365 days a year. Operating from Cambridge and Norwich, this life-saving service is only kept airborne thanks to the generosity of the community. Through quick response, advanced care on scene and quick transfer to the most appropriate hospital, EAAA aims to provide the best possible care.

Marie Curie

The UK’s leading end of life charity, Marie Curie is here to support everyone in the UK through all aspects of dying, death and bereavement and to fight for a society where everyone gets to have the best experience possible at the end of their lives. Marie Curie Nurses, Hospices and Support Line have been here day and night, seven days a week, throughout the pandemic, providing frontline care and supporting the NHS.

The Royal British Legion

Since 1921 The Royal British Legion has provided care and support to the whole Armed forces community past and present, and their families. The Royal British Legion’s work is encapsulated in its motto: Live On – To the memory of the fallen and the future of the living. We are the national custodian of Remembrance and safeguard the Military covenant between the nation and its Armed forces. We are well known for the annual Poppy Appeal, and our emblem the red poppy. In 2018 they raised a huge £30,087 here at Grand Arcade.

Street Aid

Cambridge Street Aid helps people on the street to turn a corner. They raise a fund and people who are street homeless – or who have been in the past – can apply for grants for things that will help them to get off, and stay off, the streets. As well as providing practical help to people on the streets, Street Aid gives those who want to help an alternative to handing money directly to people. If you give to Street Aid, your donation is combined with hundreds of others to make a sum that will make a real difference to someone’s life. Every single penny donated goes directly to grants for individuals. As well as donating at contactless giving point in Grand Arcade, you can donate by text (CAMB16 £3 to 70070 to donate £3) and online through justgiving.com. In 2019 generous Grand Arcade shoppers and staff made 764 separate £3.00 donations adding £2293 to the Street Aid total in that year!

Papworth Trust

Papworth Trust is a leading disability charity and registered provider that support thousands of people, their families and carers every year. Their work includes providing a range of high quality services for disabled and disadvantaged people including housing, employment, care and leisure opportunities. Each of these areas is integral to the wellbeing and needs of disabled people and they are passionate about their customers being at the centre of everything they do.

Cambridge Bid

Grand Arcade supports Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID), which consists of 1,100 city centre businesses, working together to promote the city to visitors, residents and workers, while ensuring they experience a welcoming and vibrant street scene that is both clean and safe.

Cambridge Science Festival

Grand Arcade supports the Cambridge Science Festival, which has inspired thousands of young researchers; last year, the Festival attracted well over 45,000 visitors. The Festival, one of the largest and most respected, brings science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine to an audience of all ages through an exciting mix of demonstrations, talks, performances and debates. It draws together a diverse range of independent organisations in addition to many University departments, centres and museums.

Visit Cambridge and Beyond

Grand Arcade supports Visit Cambridge and Beyond, who will be the leading voice for the visitor economy for Cambridge and the surrounding area. Their purpose is to grow the value of the visitor economy by promoting Cambridge and it's surrounding areas by providing the best possible visitor experience.