What makes SustainaBall sustainable

  • To ensure that the SustainaBall is supportive of local business, we chose Henley on Thames based Ambassador Catering, and Oxford based Oxford Marquees, as our service providers.
  • The entertainers: Out of the Blue and The Cotswold Ensemble String Quartet are Oxfordshire based musicians.
  • When choosing a caterer, our top priority was to find one who would use local produce as much as possible in order to minimise the food miles. You will notice the array of local produce on our delicious menu.
  • The selection of exceptional English wine available at the SustainaBall has been provided by Brightwell Vineyard, owned and run by Bob and Carol Nielsen. Brightwell is less than 5 miles from The Manor House.
  • We have reduced the amount of resources used, for example:
    • Invitations were sent by e-mail where possible, keeping paper usage and printing to a minimum.
    • We will provide chilled tap water on the table rather than bottled mineral water, reducing drink miles and waste.
    • We have avoided using disposable items such as napkins and table cloths, reducing our waste impact further
  • All waste resulting from the SustainaBall that can be recycled, will be recycled, and any food waste will be composted. The wine bottles will all be re-used, rather than recycled.
  • When seeking donations of prizes and sponsors of the SustainaBall, we approached local business and ethically and environmentally minded organisations.
  • The lavender plants on your tables, which were kindly donated by local Oxford florist, Emma Walker, are potted; whoever takes them home can plant them in the ground, and have a memory of the SustainaBall for a long time to come!
  • The plant pots are made from recycled newspaper, and the candles from recycled candle wax!
  • We have encouraged you all to travel here by public transport, and the Earthwatch staff car-pooled where possible to attend the event. We extend special thanks to Climate Care who will offset all the carbon emissions resulting from travelling to and from the SustainaBall.
  • We would like to thank Oxford Ethical Trading who kindly donated the party bags. The bags are made from unbleached recycled paper, and contain a selection of fair trade tea, Peruvian and Indian coffee, the Good Fish Guide from the Marine Conservation Society and not forgetting a coveted Earthwatch bookmark, donated by Earthwatch Australia.