Environmentally Conscious Events
Crafted by Raw Tipis, we’re a Certified B Corporation, recognised for our high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
Conscious Event Planning
Raw Tipis is a Certified B Corporation™committed to helping pioneer an environmentally conscious outdoor events industry. From the start, social and environmental impact has led their decision-making. This is why they are delighted to partner with Mapledurham Estate, a national leader in sustainable agriculture, to create the most environmentally friendly event venue in the UK, Tipis at Mapledurham. Read on below to find out how to aim to achieve this ambition.
Carbon Footprint Report
We believe in transparent, data-driven sustainability communications and that’s why we measure the footprint of our business operations, venue build and of each event.
Low Carbon Solutions
Read through our sustainability practices below to understand how we are reducing the environmental impact of every event at Tipis at Mapledurham.
Minimised Event Travel
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All of our events team live locally to Mapledurham Estate (within 20 miles) except for our Director who drives an EV from London. This helps to reduce our staff travel emissions.
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As this is a semi-permanent set up, most additional furniture and equipment is stored on-site. This means next to no travel with trailers is needed, significantly reducing business travel emissions compared to the average event (which goes up and down every weekend).
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We ask clients to encourage their guests to travel to Mapledurham using 'low-carbon' routes. This includes via train, electric cars and coaches, and by boat. This will significantly reduce guest travel emissions.
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We are creating a one-way system around the Mapledurham Estate to enable a steady flow off traffic with little idling, this will reduce pollution and noise.
Vetted Sustainable Suppliers
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We have chosen high-quality catering partners on their commitment to sustainable practices. This includes offering low-meat menus, using local and seasonal produce, and reducing waste and food waste throughout their operations.
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We favour bar suppliers which support local drinks brands (minimising transport emissions) and which eliminate plastic and single-use products from their operations.
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While flowers are beautiful and natural, their production processes often are not (using harmful pesticides and fertilisers threatens biodiversity). We suggest choosing organic, dried (re-usable), and seasonal/local flow companies which have a commitment to sustainability.
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Many event decorations are single-use and end up in landfill. We suggest using suppliers which support regenerative (giving back more than they take) and circular models (eliminating new resources end of life). This often means renting vintage, plant-based, and handmade products.
Considered Materials & Products
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For every wood purchase we make we have a hierarchy of questions we ask ourselves; can we use the current wood we have? Can it be bought used? Can we ensure it is FSC Certified? This helps us reduce natural resource use.
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Harmful chemicals, that are damaging to human health and biodiversity, are often used in cleaning and decorating products. We will always use non-toxic, cruelty-free products where possible.
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Technology has a huge environmental impact throughout its life cycle, we choose to buy used and refurbished appliances (rather than buying new) to close the loop on their life-cycle (giving them a new life)
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Lots of the furniture is hand-made by our team in our warehouse in Windsor, they often up-cycle materials and vintage furniture to make something new and unique. If we buy furniture, it is often made from sustainable materials like hemp and bamboo. All stock is well maintained and re-used event after event. This helps to keep our product emissions low.
Thorough Waste Systems & Policies
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By splitting out waste into general waste, recycling, glass and food compost waste, and banning single-use materials on-site, we will minimise the waste sent to landfill and incineration. Our team are waste trained and will manage suppliers on-site to ensure items are disposed of correctly.
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We understand that food and drink suppliers often generate the most waste, that is why we have created supplier Sustainability Terms & Conditions that encourage the use of compostables and easily recyclable serveware like Vegware, cans and glass instead of plastic.
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We have chosen our waste partner on quality, reliability and good customer service to ensure that waste is correctly disposed of when it needs to be. This is especially important when holding events close to nature.
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Waste that ends up in landfill or incineration generates greenhouse gases and can lead to polluted soil and waterways. We know that single-use plastics are impossible to avoid but we are putting everything in place to minimise them at every turn to reduce waste sent to landfill.
Fossil Free Energy, Tools & Machinery
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All electricity used to power your event is backed by Mapledurham House's on-site watermill. Not only is it beautiful it is 100% clean energy (read more below).
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Fossil fuels, like coal oil and gas, contribute towards over 75% of global emisisons (contributing to climate change). We want to avoid them as much as possible, that is why we use electric tools that can be charged by our on-site renewable electricity.
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Similar to our tools, we will be using electric vehicles as much as possible on site. That includes hiring an electric golf buggy to whisk your more elderly guests around the grounds.
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We avoid using GHG releasing fuels like propane to heat the tipis. Instead we have made bioethanol fire pits that release no smoke, 3.6 ppm of CO, and stay warm for 11 hours, being the most sustainable option.
Conscious Decision Making
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Designing Tipis at Mapledurham Estate as a semi-permanent and flexible venue space means less natural resources are needed to build the space and furniture as they can be stored on-site and re-arranged before and during the event. The environmental impact of materials and location have been considered throughout the design.
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We are passionate about the tripple bottom line approach to business -people and planet as well as profit. This means asking ourselves at every turn, is there a better way for people and for nature? Often, improved impact means higher quality products and services. We are committed to working with our clients to help them make conscious decisions for their event.
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An event is only as sustainable as the many suppliers and partners who make it. That is why we assess suppliers and partners on their social and environmental impact (including carbon audits, sustainability reports, and certifications like B Corp). For the suppliers we don't control, we make informed suggestions to our clients.
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While most of the impactful decisions are made before the event, we ensure sustainability practices are managed on-site by our staff (e.g waste disposal). We also collect data on-site to complete our Trace by Isla carbon emission reports
Don’t just take our word for it, we are partnering with Trace by Isla to report on the carbon footprint of every event at Mapledurham Estate.
This unique sustainability offering means that our clients can understand the environmental impact of their event and choose to offset it if they wish.
Sustainability Partnerships
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Better Business Act
We’re members of the Better Business Act that aims to amend UK law so that every company aligns the interests of shareholders with those of wider society and the environment.
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Trace by Isla
We’re members of the Trace by Isla, an Event Carbon Measurement Platform. We use the tool to measure the footprint of every wedding and corporate event.
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Climate Essentials
We’re a member of Climate Essentials, a comprehensive carbon management platform for business. We (at Raw Tipis) have been measuring our business emissions since 2020.
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SME Climate Hub
We’re members of the SME Climate Hub, a non-profit global initiative that empowers SME companies to take climate action. It’s where we publicly report on our emissions and its a great free tool.
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Race to Zero
We’re members of the Race to Zero Campaign. By committing to reduce our emissions by 2040, through the SME Climate Hub, we are counted in the UN Climate Change High Level Champion’s Race to Zero campaign.
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B Events Group
We’re members and Co-Chair of the B Corp Events Working group which aims to be the recognised B Corp voice for the events industry.
Sustainable Initiatives at Mapledurham
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The Watermill
WATER TO ELECTRICITY
The Mapledurham Watermill exemplifies sustainable energy, generating 500,000 KWH/year through its hydro turbine—surpassing local energy needs and contributing surplus to the national grid. This 100% renewable energy source reduces carbon emissions and promotes sustainability. Additionally, the mill preserves traditional stone-ground flour production, blending heritage with modern sustainability and demonstrating how historical sites can support renewable energy and sustainable living.
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Biomass Boilers
WOOD CHIPS TO HEAT & HOT WATER
The biomass boilers at Mapledurham Estate play a pivotal role in advancing sustainability goals. Powered by locally sourced wood chips, the advanced biomass boilers efficiently produce heat and hot water for the estate, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This renewable energy source supports local forestry, promotes a circular economy, and showcases how innovative technology can advance sustainability and environmental stewardship.
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Anaerobic Generator Plant
MANURE TO HEAT & POWER
The anaerobic digestion plant at Mapledurham Estate turns cow slurry into clean heat and power, exemplifying sustainable agriculture and the circular economy. This process reduces methane emissions, generates renewable biogas, and supports the estate’s energy independence. Additionally, the by-products serve as nutrient-rich bio-fertilizers, improving soil health and closing the loop on organic waste management.