Our Green Credentials
The Scottish Seabird Centre is proud to have been awarded over 25 awards for tourism, including the Thistle Award for Sustainable Tourism, The Queen's Award for Enterprise, Sustainable Development and the Green Tourism Gold Award. The Seabird Centre also supports Scotland's Responsible Visitor Guide - a commitment to the natural and cultural heritage that makes Scotland such a special place to visit and to live in. Find out more here.
The award winning centre is a VisitScotland five star attraction and is committed to providing a high quality service, while minimising its environmental impact. The Scottish Seabird Centre is good environmental practice in all business activities:
- Responsible care requirements for waste disposal
- Continual sustainable environmental improvements
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Prevention of any polluting activities in the Seabird Centre and promotion of reduction of polluting activities by visitors in the area
Environmental Practice
The actions of each and every one of us have an impact on the environment. The Scottish Seabird Centre’s Environment Zone provides advice information about the challenges to our planet and its wildlife and the things we can all do to help. The Seabird Centre practices what it preaches and below is an overview of our Environmental Code of Practice.
The Seabird Centre uses alternative energy sources wherever possible. The remote cameras on the islands are all solar powered, as is the ticket machine in the car park. Lights up the path to the Centre are also solar powered and a wind turbine operating on the office roof is saving % of the Centre’s energy. Long term, the Seabird Centre plans to power the entire centre with alternative energy and plans have just been approved to intall solar roof panels. We have also applied to the Carbon Footprint organisation to calculate our primary footprint and await confirmation on actions required to offset.
We work with our supplier partners to encourage use of environmentally friendly products:
- We identify and implement eco-friendly policies through the Green Team, an internal working group.
- We purchase recycled goods whenever appropriate and possible.
- We recyle at every opportunity.
- We maintain a policy of seeking improved methods of reducing energy consumption.
Initiatives to Reduce, Re-use & Recycle
The following is a selection of initiatives that we adopt to help reduce, re-use and recycle:
- Water Hippos in flush toilets to save water
- Dedicated recycling units
- Re-use of furniture and fittings after our refurbishments by donating to local charities and businesses.
- Installation of low energy light bulbs
- Solar powered cameras on the islands
- Solar powered parking machine
- New solar power outdoor lighting
Daily Actions
On a day to day basis the teams at the Seabird Centre take the following actions in their contribution to helping the environment:
- Recycling of Paper, Plastic, Cardboard, Glass, Polythene Wrappers and Toner Cartridges
- Waste cooking oil is recycled by locally based candle manufacturer Carberry Candles
- Daily monitor water/gas/electricity consumption to aid reducing consumption levels
- Encourage car share
- Encourage cycle to work and provide cycle rack facilities plus cycling discounts
- Encourage local transport and provide information on their facilities
- Purchase recycled goods
- Provide environmental awareness and training as part of the induction programme
- On going environmental and awareness training
- Have a dedicated environmental group driving forward new initiatives
- Promote our Green Tourism Business Scheme award and policy to clients Local Support
We support our local environment, services, producers and suppliers through the following actions: - Use local produce for beverages, fish, meat, fruit, vegetables and dairy
- Support Fair Trade products
- Provide local transport services information to our staff, volunteers and visitors
- Provide cycle hire information
Developments - Energy saving lighting, dimmers and motion detectors are in place
- Timers on electrical equipment
Calculate Your Carbon Footprint
Calculate your carbon footprint with the Green Insurance Company calculator.
Offset your Carbon Footprint
To offset your carbon footprint click on thelink belowto Climate Care http://www.climatecare.org/.
Good Environmental Websites To Visit
Below is a list of sites we would suggest you could visit.
Environmental Sites for Children
Activities and information on this site from Wastewatch. Also includes resources for teachers, and fun quizzes, songs and games.
Fun environmental games, animations, facts and figures and screensavers to download.
US and Australian biased site with lots of cool games, screensavers and recycling information.
Adventure game where you must use your knowledge of recycling to stop the destruction of earth.
Dr Seuss' character in an environmental game (requires shockwave)
Pages by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences including songs, printables, jokes, games and stories.
Downloadable PDF booklet from the US Environmental Proetection Agency includes colouring and activites.
Big list of rainforest themed sites for children
Wildlife Code of Conduct
The Scottish Seabird Centre is a member of Wild Scotland, an association of wildlife tourism operators who are passionate about Scotland’s rich natural heritage. Members aim to provide the very best wildlife watching in Scotland through a responsible attitude to the environment, your safety and enjoyment. You can help us to enjoy and protect Scotland’s wildlife in the following ways:
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Give wildlife space – keep quiet and use your binoculars to see wildlife close up without disturbing the animals
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Follow your guide’s instructions. If you are unsure what to do, ask the guide.
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Keep to paths or established routes when on land
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Don’t drop litter!
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Don’t touch or feed the wildlife
