Environmental policy | St Martin's Watersports, Isles of Scilly

Environmental & Sustainability Policy

Environmental Policy Mission statement

St Martin’s Watersports hires out kayaks and stand up paddle boards that provide visitors with access to the natural beauty of Scilly with the least environmental impact.

A healthy ecosystem is beneficial to our business. Customers can experience the natural environment around four uninhabited islands that are inaccessible by other means. Using push-powered modes of transport, paddlers have minimal impact on the environment as they travel between islands.

We operate in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in order to protect and safeguard this precious environment we are committed to this policy and the aspirations and statements therein.

St Martin’s Watersports is committed to protecting and growing the natural environment and proactively managing its environmental impacts.

We are committed to making continuous improvements in the management of our environmental impacts. We work in partnership with others to promote environmental stewardship across our value chain, increase understanding of environmental issues amongst our stakeholders and disseminate good practice with other companies.

We are WiSe scheme trained and emphasise to our customers in the safety brief the importance of respecting the environment they are paddling in.

We comply with applicable environmental legislation and regulations and where possible we go beyond the legislation to improve our ability to contribute to environmental growth and circular economies within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Anna Browne (Owner) is responsible for ensuring that the environmental policy is implemented. However, all employees have a role to play – this Sustainability Policy outlines our individual and shared responsibilities to ensure that the aims and objectives of the policy are met.

This Sustainability Policy commits us to:

Embed environmental risks into our risk identification and mitigation processes
Regularly assess our areas of environmental impacts, which includes considering current and future environmental issues
Audit our compliance with legislation and investigate all environmental incidents in order to prevent recurrence
Set targets for continuous improvement

Ecology

We will identify and protect wildlife (in particular species protected by European and UK legislation) on the islands in the Isles of Scilly archipelago, through consultation with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.
Where possible we will reduce noise and light pollution created due to our business activities.
Where physical works and installations are to be carried out, where possible we will use native plants to replace, screen or shelter the works. Before works are carried out we will seek appropriate advice in order to carry this out more effectively.
We will provide proven habitat improvements for the benefit of native species on our premises/work sites.

We use Bio-D products to sanitise our equipment, these contain naturally-derived cleaning products to clean safely and effectively without harming people or the environment. Where pest control is required, we will endeavour to use physical repellents and barriers to prevent access. Where this is not possible, we will seek independent advice and use poisons/kill traps that have the smallest/no known impact on non-target species. Where the use of herbicides and fungicides are required, we will limit their application as much as possible, and take all appropriate safety measures.
We will work to increase abundance of pollinators by enhancing the habitat they rely on and we will encourage our neighbours and customers to do the same.

Customers

As a WiSe scheme accredited business, we will instruct customers how to behave when near or approaching wildlife.
We will direct customers away from the individual Eastern Isles that are closed to the public for the safeguarding of protected species.
We will Inform customers they must bring litter home and leave no trace of their visit to uninhabited islands.

We will use our website/other channels to engage with, educate and inform our customers about the work we do to contribute to Scilly’s environmental growth strategy, and how customers can complement this.
We will use our website/other channels to inform our customers about how important Scilly’s natural environment is to businesses and people living and operating in the Isles of Scilly.

Maintenance

We will undertake regular beach cleans on Par Beach (where the hiring takes place) in order to maintain the natural environment in the immediate vicinity
We will ensure our hire equipment is regularly maintained and repaired to ensure it has a long life span. Equipment that is still usable but no longer needed will be passed on to the second hand market
We will investigate the environmental impact and provenance of any equipment to be purchased, with a view to reducing this impact where possible, including its ease of maintenance.

Culture

We will promote our support for the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, who are responsible for managing the majority of the islands, by including their leaflets in the information provided to our customers and by having a collection box at the hiring point.
We will encourage our staff to avoid travelling to work by (non-electric) car and promote active transport such as walking or cycling. Where the use of a motor vehicle is unavoidable we will promote sharing.
All staff will be encouraged to promote the ideals and attitudes herein, and will be provided with the necessary training to do so.

Circular Economy

We offer an increased choice for consumers through our lending and sharing services (of kayaks, paddle boards and relevant accessories).
We will make repairs to our products on site where possible.
We will create or research markets for secondary raw materials that arise from our activities.
We will thoroughly research, test and promote the lifecycle and durability of our products.
We will reduce the use of non-recyclable or hazardous materials in our activities.

REVIEW DATE: 10 Jan 2023

Logistics

Time bookings so that customers from other islands can come to St Martin’s by tripper boats (the equivalent of public transport on Scilly).

Materials

Where possible any accessories we use will be reusable/recyclable/ biodegradable/compostable.
Where possible we will source materials and products locally in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly, thereby reducing emissions and positively influencing the local economy.
We will work with the most ethical suppliers we can find, and will continue to engage with them so as to promote environmental sustainability

Energy, Waste and Water

The consumption of energy and water, and the creation of waste, to be reduced wherever possible through investment in more efficient technologies and through engaging users with the appropriate use of these resources (e.g. turning lights and electrical equipment off at the end of the day and when not in use and turning off taps).
Active energy use will be reduced in favour of more efficient activity and building insulation.
When new products are to be purchased, their efficiency and energy consumption will be analysed and factored into any decisions made.
Renewable energy technology will be installed where appropriate.
We will seek low-carbon electricity suppliers in addition to renewable energy technology.

Strategy and performance

We will promote the WiSe Scheme values and work to maintain this accreditation through our actions.
We will review and update environmental objectives and targets on an annual basis.
We will be prepared to meet any future legislative requirements in the sports & recreation sector by future-proofing our activities and remaining as resource-efficient and responsible as possible.
We will meet any relevant regulatory requirements so that customers / clients / donors can be confident that they are supporting a business that is contributing positively to the natural environment of the Isles of Scilly