Published on: 30 July 2023
Premier Marinas, the leading UK marina operator, is proud to announce that it has recently been awarded the prestigious Silver EcoVadis in recognition for its commitment to sustainable business practice. This significant achievement builds upon the Bronze medal achieved in 2022 and places Premier Marinas in the top 25% of companies assessed by EcoVadis, the world’s most trusted business sustainability ratings.
EcoVadis is an independent, globally recognised sustainability assessment platform that evaluates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. It provides businesses with a comprehensive rating system that allows them to benchmark their sustainability efforts. EcoVadis ratings are trusted by organisations worldwide to identify and partner with sustainable suppliers and service providers.
Receiving the Silver EcoVadis recognition compliments the ISO14001 Environmental Management certification received in 2018 and underscores Premier Marinas’ commitment to creating waterside environments in which both people and nature can thrive. By achieving this prestigious milestone, Premier Marinas solidifies its position as a leader in sustainable marina operations and highlights its dedication to continual improvement year-on-year.
Reducing and preventing water and air pollution is at the top of Premier Marinas’ sustainability objectives. To achieve this, pump-out facilities are being rolled out across many sites to allow boaters to conveniently dispose of blackwater and prevent toxic discharge which could have a detrimental effect on the natural ecosystem, wildlife and human health. This month, Premier will open its newest pump-out facility at Gosport Marina.
Also to prevent water pollution, Premier Marinas is investing in marine specific FiltaBund wash bays in its boatyards. This innovative technology collects the run-off water from jet washing and removes marine debris, paint flakes and pigments as well as copper and zinc pollutants. The water is then recycled to use for further jet washing and tackles another sustainability objective – to use water more efficiently. Chichester Marina’s Boatyard has recently commissioned its second FiltaBund wash bay.
Promoting renewable energy is another of Premier’s sustainability objectives. Installing extensive solar PV panels across all feasible facility buildings has been a big investment for the future – reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and minimising the carbon footprint. This month, Premier’s Universal Marina has completed the installation of 193 solar PV panels, switching on the potential to harness 74.3 kW power from the sun, taking Premier’s total solar capacity across all sites to 522 kW.
Commenting on the achievement, Pete Bradshaw, Premier Marinas CEO, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded Silver EcoVadis which highlights our ongoing commitment to be a sustainable business. We recognise the importance of environmental responsibility and strive to implement measures that protect and preserve our precious waterside ecosystems. This recognition is testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and demonstrates our continued commitment to sustainability.”
With a focus on continuous improvement and environmental stewardship, Premier Marinas is leading the way to more sustainable marinas.