SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
Continuum Attractions is passionate about sustainability. We strive to do the right thing for the environment, our communities, our guests and our team.
SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
Continuum Attractions is passionate about sustainability. We strive to do the right thing for the environment, our communities, our guests and our team. As a tourist attraction operator we recognise that we impact on, and can positively contribute to, achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The goals of particular relevance to our business are as follows:
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We’ve been working with the Green Tourism Standard and independent sustainability experts to guide and hone our sustainability approach and are proud to say that all our attractions have achieved at least a Green Tourism Bronze Awards.
Core principles
Our approach to sustainability is founded on the following core Group principles, which apply to all sites:
- Being an active member of the local community – participating in cultural and historical events and attractions, using local producers and supporting local charities with donations in time, money and access to our facilities.
- Providing a supportive, fair and inclusive work environment where individual differences are embraced and team health and wellbeing is paramount. Our wellbeing programme includes an Employee Assistance Programme, mental health first-aiders, the cycle-to-work scheme, the flu jab and discounted gym membership. All team members are paid at least the national living wage.
- Making our attractions accessible to the widest possible range of people as practicable, and offering educational experiences for school children at all our attractions.
- Always protecting the health, safety and data of our guests and team.
- Respecting the environment and seeking to minimise our impact through energy and water efficiency, waste minimisation and recycling, and encouraging low carbon transport to our attractions.
- Avoiding the use of single use plastics where possible and being part of the Refill scheme to encourage and enable the use of refillable water bottles.
- Operating ethically and with integrity. Abiding by the letter and spirit of all relevant legislation, including prohibiting corruption and bribery in all forms, and respecting human rights.
- Being mindful of our supply chain sustainability impacts and implementing a Responsible Sourcing Policy to drive improvements in this area.
- Providing sustainability training for all team members and additional training, education and expert support for relevant roles as necessary.
- Communicating our sustainability approach internally and externally, and proactively seeking feedback on our approach though post-visit customer surveys.
Local implementation
Individual attractions are encouraged and supported to implement their own local sustainability initiatives to support the Group principles. At The Real Mary King’s Close these include:
- Celebrating national and local diversity events with, for example, tailored tours for Pride and women’s history.
- Supporting local and national charity fundraising activities.
- Promoting and selling the works of local artists.
- Creating as accessible space as possible within the constraints of a historic building. Our attraction includes chairs for resting in all rooms, hand rails, audio guides and we offer a discount to those hard of hearing.
- Promoting local low-carbon activities in Edinburgh.
- Actively participating in local litter-picks.
- Having a trained mental health first aider in the team.
- Washing costumes on coldest wash setting with non-biological laundry powder.
- Transitioning to low energy PIR and/or LED lighting.
- Providing recycling bins in customer and office locations.
- Encouraging water efficiency with sensor taps.
- Offering free water-bottle refills through the Refill
Governance
Our approach to sustainability is overseen by our Group Operations Director.
We are continually evolving and improving our approach and will review and update this policy at least annually.
Signed by: Paul Nixon, General Manager
Date: 14/11/22
