Our Sustainability Mission

Our Commitment to Sustainability

Since we are big advocates for outdoor learning and getting outside in nature, of course we have a sustainability mission at Cabins for Schools! Our team understands the importance of protecting the environment for future generations. That's why from sourcing materials to designing and manufacturing our school buildings, we are committed to minimising our ecological footprint.

We are a green choice for educational settings with their own sustainability missions, as we strive to create eco-friendly, sustainable solutions that blend seamlessly with nature and provide versatile learning spaces. Let's explain how...

Sustainable Timber Sourcing

Our log cabins are built using sustainably sourced timber from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified suppliers. These certifications ensure responsible forest management, where more trees are planted than harvested, and fairness is maintained for indigenous populations in those regions. We ensure that our buildings are not only durable but also environmentally responsible. We use Scandinavian redwood, a slow-grown and sustainable timber. This ensures responsible forest management, providing high-quality wood that supports biodiversity and helps combat deforestation. 

Natural Lighting Solutions

To enhance sustainability, you can choose a log cabin with a solar pipe. Our solar pipes maximise natural light inside the cabin, allowing natural daylight to illuminate the interior. This reduces reliance on artificial lighting and therefore can lower a school's energy consumption. As for our outdoor classrooms, this concept can be applied when large glass doors such as bifold doors are chosen in the bespoke design process. This will allow for maximum natural light to enter your outdoor classroom, reducing your reliance on electrics. Not only is using natural light good for the environment, it also offers a wealth of mental and physical health benefits to students and teachers using the learning spaces.

Solar Panels

We can offer schools and educational settings the option to include solar panels on their outdoor classrooms, helping to reduce energy usage and running costs over time. Adding solar panels allows your school building to generate its own electricity during daylight hours, supporting everyday use such as lighting, heating, and IT equipment. This can make a real difference to long-term energy consumption, particularly for buildings that are used regularly throughout the school week.

For many schools, solar panels also support wider sustainability and environmental goals, helping to reduce carbon footprint while giving pupils a practical, real-world example of renewable energy in use on site. We can advise on whether solar panels are suitable for your building design, location, and intended use, and factor them into the overall design from the outset.

Waste Reduction

Each school building is made to order in our Derbyshire factories, so the right quantities of materials are sourced. We always aim to minimise waste throughout our manufacturing process. Our highly-skilled team handcraft each school building and prioritise precision and resource efficiency, and any leftover materials are recycled or repurposed whenever possible. 

Carbon Footprint Reduction

Our educational buildings are designed to be energy-efficient as they are lined and insulated, helping schools reduce their overall energy consumption and carbon impact. Also, we actively work to lower our carbon footprint by optimising our installation transportation logistics. We also aim to prioritise digital site surveys over in-person site surveys where possible, and provide digital pricing guides rather than posting out paper copies.

Double-Glazed Windows and Doors 

We design educational buildings with double-glazing (safety glass). This provides excellent insulation, reducing heat loss in winter and keeping the school building cool in summer, resulting in lower energy consumption.

Insulation 

We use high-quality insulation materials to enhance the thermal efficiency of our school buildings, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling, leading to significant energy savings.

Weather-Resistant Design

Our use of high-quality, durable materials ensure each school building can comfortably withstand the elements. This heavily reduces the need for repairs and replacements, which helps minimise future resource use.

Prefabrication Process

We manufacture our school buildings by hand in our Derbyshire factories before installing them on site. Our offsite manufacturing process reduces construction waste and transportation emissions, resulting in a lower environmental impact. Furthermore, our installation methods are designed to have minimal impact on the existing school environment, preserving green spaces and natural habitats and reducing noise pollution.

Biophilic Design Principles

Our log cabins and outdoor classrooms are designed with biophilic principles in mind, connecting children and young people to the outdoor environment and nature. This approach not only supports wellbeing but also fosters a sense of responsibility towards the environment!

Want to read more about how to create a biophilic learning space? Check out our blog. 

Promoting Sustainable Education

We believe in the power of education to inspire change. Our outdoor buildings provide the perfect space for schools to incorporate sustainability into their curriculum, increasing awareness and responsibility among students. Whether it's through outdoor learning initiatives, environmental clubs, or eco-friendly classroom practices, our outdoor classrooms and log cabins support schools in becoming more sustainable.