Always aspiring to greener galleries, QAGOMA’s sustainability innovations are a priority across the organisation through waste and energy reduction targets. With a goal of carbon-neutral readiness, writes Ari Fuller, the Gallery’s environmental sustainability policy means your enjoyment of our Collection needn’t cost the earth.

‘What bin do I put this in?’

My colleague and I are standing in one of the Gallery's staff lunchrooms, as I provide advice on a takeaway container’s next destination. Luckily, it’s from QAG Cafe, so straight into the organic bin it goes. All disposables from QAG Cafe and GOMA Bistro — cutlery, coffee cups, containers — have been biodegradable since 2020.

Staff support for QAGOMA’s waste management initiatives has been enormous, but it is easy to get confused with all the new information. We have alternative waste streams to divert materials from landfill, including nitrile gloves, soft plastics, e-waste, organics and polystyrene, but it’s just as important to consider what we purchase as what we dispose. For example, while Artlines is always produced by local printers committed to sustainability, this issue introduces an uncoated cover, making it our first fully recyclable issue.

QAGOMA’s environmental sustainability story has gone from strength to strength over the last five years, culminating in our 2020 commitment to becoming carbon-neutral ready by 30 June 2025. Embarking on this enormous project in an organisation with such varied business operations is daunting, but incredibly exciting. Calculating our emissions requires accounting for vital but carbon‑costly parts of running a gallery: art shipping, exhibition materials, food and beverages, staff travel, waste and, of course, energy usage.

The reduction of electricity usage — our greatest single source of carbon emissions — is at the top of our sustainability list. We have implemented processes to save electricity wherever possible in our operations, from computers to lighting to air-conditioning. Energy reduction, along with an accelerated shift to renewable energy sources, is also high on the agenda of Arts Queensland, which manages the Cultural Precinct. Arts Queensland has been instrumental in funding upgrades to our air-conditioning and plant equipment, as well as transitioning to LED lights in the galleries and staff areas. As the weather heats up, these upgrades are resulting in significant cost savings and emissions reductions.