De Bijloke & Greentrack
De Bijloke is a member of the non-profit organisation Greentrack Gent, an umbrella network dedicated to reducing the arts sector’s carbon footprint. De Bijloke hopes not only to fulfil this commitment internally, but also to promote it externally. Together with the citizens’ cooperative Energent, we have invested in a large solar panel installation and ask all our partners to integrate environmental awareness into our collaboration.
What are we already doing?
- 261 solar panels generate an average of 117,000 kWh per year. Around 25% of our electricity needs are met by our own generation.
- Reusable glasses and cups are used at all concerts, including festivals such as Côté Jardin and Bijloke Wonderland.
- Thanks to our in-house caterer, Coeur Catering, we serve homemade dishes made from locally sourced and fair-trade produce. At least 40% of the menu is strictly vegetarian. Coeur Catering is a partner and ambassador for Go Forest, an NGO that fights deforestation and is committed to protecting biodiversity in the fight against climate change.
- Food waste is minimised by aligning the purchase of products with actual demand. Thanks to optimised rapid cooling and sustainable storage methods, prepared dishes are given a long, second life. Surplus food is creatively repurposed or donated to disadvantaged families in collaboration with Ghent-based Foodsavers.
- Printing is being phased out gradually.
- New LED lighting in the Concert Hall; Bijloke Café now uses LED mood lighting throughout.
- Light switches in technical areas with presence detection.
- Robinetto tap water use as standard.
- Recycling of cigarette butts via Freshtray.
- Use of rainwater for sanitary facilities.
- Intensive sharing of materials and spaces on the Bijloke site.
- Cambio + bike-sharing scheme for staff travel.
- Tripling of the number of bicycle parking spaces during festivals and outdoor activities.
- A car-free site.
- With VDK, a bank that scores highly on ethical standards.
- Collaboration with Refu Interim for festivals.
- A growing group of people with a migrant background in day-to-day operations. Music Centre De Bijloke works with workplace architect Compaan to offer work experience opportunities to people with underutilised talents. This collaboration resulted in the ‘Inclusive Enterprise Certificate of Recognition 2022’ awarded by Sterpunt Inclusief Ondernemen.