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 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 follows good environmental practice in all its activities:

• Responsible care requirements for waste disposal
• Continual sustainable environmental improvements
• Prevention of any polluting activities in the Seabird Centre and promotion of reduction of polluting activities by visitors in the area

Winner of the Chamber of Commerce Environmental Award 2009

The Environmental Award was presented to the Seabird Centre at the annual awards last year and you can link below to a short film made for the award about the Centre's environmental practices. Also take a look at this short case study film from the Scottish Power Green Energy Trust and click on icon of the bronze tern sculpture.

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. If you are planning a holiday in Scotland, you can download a copy of Scotland's Responsible Visitors' Guide.

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.  Long term, the Seabird Centre plans to power the entire centre with alternative energy and has an array of solar roof panels and a wind turbine reducing the energy used. Information on alternative energy is available in the Centre's Environment Zone, together with a computer read out to show the savings being made. We also 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.

• Ecomonkey
• Greenshop
• Natural Collection
• Save the North Sea

Environmental Sites for Children