Green Commitment

Our Dynamic Earth is committed to continually providing a high quality of service, whilst minimising the environmental impact. To enforce this commitment Dynamic Earth has become a member of the VisitScotland Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). This is an independent accreditation scheme which encourages the tourism industry to reduce the environmental impact of their activities.

Dynamic Earth is delighted to have been awarded a SILVER grade for our achievements and efforts towards becoming a 'greener' business.

Through the membership of the Green Tourism Business Scheme Dynamic Earth has committed to:

• Continuously seek to improve our environmental and social performance in all our business activities.
• Comply with the requirements of environmental legislation and approved codes of practice.
• Reduce our usage of energy, water and other resources.
• Raise awareness, encourage participation the train employees in sustainable business practices.

Here is what Dynamic Earth has done so far to improve our environmental impact.

• Recycle all our waste paper and buy recycled copier paper.
• Recycle all recyclable materials including plastic drinks bottles and toner cartridges.
• Auto-flush toilets and tap sensors for waste water reduction.
• Offer alternatives to plastic carrier bags in our gift shops.
• Car park lighting has been changed using low energy lamps with sensors.
• New dishwasher in main kitchen, this saves around 76,440 litres of water per year and around 7Kw per hour of energy.
• Set up a Green Committee to help and encourage all staff to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
• Marketing leaflets and promotional tools printed on recycled paper (which can also be recycled).
• Seek out suppliers whose services have a low impact on the environment.
• Timer plugs on photocopiers.
• New packaging on sandsiches sold in our Food Chain Cafe so they can be recycled.
• The use of 'intelligent extension leads' on all PC's, these will shut down all printers/monitors etc. when the PC shuts down.
• Time lag switches in back of house areas, meaning lights will auto shut off after 10 minutes.
• External lighting in the turning circle has been changed to low energy/LED sensor lighting.

What's next?

The above list is just the beginning, we already have the next stage of plans ready to go.

• Install energy saving lighting throughout Dynamic Earth (this has already begun and will be an on-going process).
• Dimmer units installed to reduce lighting by 25% during the day time.
• Kitchens/all corridors and plant rooms to have dimmers/auto shut off devises installed.
• Wall lighting to be changed to low energy/LED with Sensors.
• Passenger lifts lighting to have sensors fitted. If the lift is unused for around 10 minutes the car park lighting will turn off and come on when doors open.
• Explore the use of solar and wind power as an energy source (we will be talking to Scottish Hydro on the topic).
• Sub-metering to monitor utility usage, to enable us to control our usage and costs.
• Auto flushes in the urinals so hygiene requirements balance with our eco stance.

Once we achieve the above goals we will be continuing our green commitment and keep looking for new ways we can help the environment. Our aim is that in 5 years time, Dynamic Earth will be one of the most energy efficient buildings in Scotland.

Would you like to help?

You too can help reduce your energy consumption. Sometimes its the smallest measures that give the biggest impact.

• By switching your TV/DVD player or games console off rather than using stand-by you can save on average around £37 a year.
• The modem on your PC can cost you about £30 a year if you leave it on 24 hours a day.
• Switch to low energy light bulbs as these use up to 80% less energy that a traditional incandescent bulb, this of course will help save you money.