We are serious about our efforts to care for the environment.
We understand the importance of caring for the natural waters, wildlife and habitats that house our marinas, and where we and our customers enjoy spending time. Here are just a few of the areas we have been taking action on.
Minimising water pollution
Being in a marine environment we are particularly conscious of the negative effects of pollution. We have installed interceptor tanks to filter the wastewater from pressure washing boats. Taking this a step further, we commissioned two new FiltaBund systems which both filter and recycle the water used. This has been so successful that we are now planning to retro-fit FiltaBund technology at more sites.
Minimising air pollution
We have introduced active controls to prevent air pollution from our boatyard operations. These include sealing off areas to ensure the extraction of tiny airborne particles from sanding and painting. Our machinery and equipment are subject to regular maintenance to maximise efficiency and minimise emissions.
Cleaner waters
We have pump-out or sluice facilities for the safe disposal of ‘black water’ at most sites, reducing the risk of pollution. Our staff are trained to dispense fuel safely to avoid spillages. We have incident response plans and spill kits for each marina and we are contracted to use the services of a spill response unit in the event of a major incident. We have invested in floating ‘seabin’ technology to skim plastics and debris from our marinas.
Responsible dredging
All our dredging operations are carried out under licence from the Marine Management Organisation, which regulates such activities, ensuring that they are carried out sustainably. Where possible, we look for beneficial ways to use our dredged material. Saltmarsh restoration is one example of this. Where this is not possible, material is disposed of responsibly.
Recycling and waste
We offer full recycling facilities across our sites with dedicated bins for general waste and mixed dry recyclables and glass. We also provide recycling facilities for metals and hazardous waste including paint, lead acid batteries, oil filters and spent oil. Specific food-waste bins are being introduced to some sites. We aim to send zero waste to landfill by recycling and sending general waste to Energy Recovery Facilities where it is used to generate electricity.
Efficient water use
Water is an important natural resource, so we try to use as little as possible. We monitor consumption at each marina and encourage good practice. Berth holders use their own hoses with trigger guns supplied by us, to prevent wastage. Our marina facilities include features such as dual flush toilets, water saving cisterns and aerators. Laundry equipment is regularly maintained and upgraded to maximise efficiency.
Efficient energy use
We’re committed to running as efficiently as possible, minimising energy use where we can. We also have a responsibility to ensure that berth holders, tenants and other site users are efficient in their energy use. We have invested in technology to enable our berth holders to manage their electricity online, giving a better awareness of their consumption. We’ve also invested in a range of energy saving devices, such as LED and PIR controlled lighting.
‘Greener’ machinery and fuel
In order to use fuel more efficiently, many of our boat hoists have been replaced or retrofitted with remote operating controls to minimise manoeuvres. We minimise delivery miles for the fuel we supply and our marine diesel uses natural microbiological fuel technology to increase efficiency. We are also working towards using diesel alternatives like HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil).
Sustainable development
We seek to deliver environmental improvements when our properties are replaced or refurbished. Planning law requires assessment of environmental impact and suitable plans for managing the environmental risks. Building Regulations set out requirements for building efficiency and Premier Marinas aims to exceed these standards wherever possible and create buildings that blend in with their environment.
Sustainable travel choices
We promote sustainable commuting and have a travel policy to help us minimise our impact. Staff are encouraged to avoid travel when possible, using video or audio conferencing as an alternative. Where travel is essential staff are encouraged to use our fuel efficient ‘pool’ cars, car share or travel by train. We also operate a ‘cycle to work scheme’ with the opportunity to claim business mileage for cycling; further promoting green travel.
Influencing others
Not only do we manage the impact of our business activity on the environment, we seek to encourage others to do the same. This means doing what we can to make it easy for them to act in an environmentally conscious manner and actively communicating initiatives to berth holders, tenants, employees and the wider communities. We are also committed to ensuring our suppliers are acting sustainably.
