You’re probably no stranger to eco-friendly choices, sustainability has a place in every company plan and now sits at the forefront of discussions. But did you know that these choices not only help the environment but also save your centre money?
In this blog, we’ll delve into the many benefits of integrating sustainability into your leisure centre’s operations. We’ll provide you with simple and practical tips to guide you towards a more environmentally friendly venue.
Advantages of Fostering Sustainability at Your Leisure Centre
There are many reasons for improving the sustainability of your facility. By adopting sustainable practises, your leisure centre can:
- Cut Costs
- Make Meaningful Social Contributions
- Showcase a Commitment to Sustainability
- Enhance Efficiency and Save Time
- Ensure Long-Term Viability
- Embrace Paperless Operations for Tree Conservation
Going Paperless
In today’s digital era, physical paper has become unnecessary. Modern online management systems, like Xn’s cutting-edge solutions, can efficiently handle membership and administrative tasks online.
By going paperless, you not only boost productivity and task management but also contribute positively to environmental conservation. Transition away from paper-based processes to a more streamlined workflow that benefits both your operations and the planet. Bid farewell to time-consuming paper-based processes and welcome a streamlined workflow that leaves a positive impact on both your operations and the planet.
Reducing Energy Costs and Carbon Emissions
Lowering energy consumption is a win-win. It saves costs and helps the environment. Here’s how you can do it:
- Turn off lights and equipment when not in use.
- Use pool covers to conserve heat and prevent evaporation.
- Employ energy tracking systems to identify and solve energy wastage.
- Adjust variable speed drive pumps overnight.
- Switch to cloud-based data storage to reduce on-site server energy use.
As businesses continue to adapt to a swiftly changing business environment, cloud hosting software has become increasingly popular among enterprises of all sizes. With a wide range of benefits, cloud hosting software offers an enticing opportunity for organisations looking to streamline their operations, boost productivity, and lower their on-site energy usage.
Encourage Staff and Members to Travel Responsibly
Travel associated with your centre’s activities contributes to your environmental footprint. While you can’t control people’s choices, you can influence them:
- Promote walking, biking, and scooting.
- Make public transport routes known.
- Advocate for carpooling or lift sharing.
- Encourage eco-friendly vehicle use.
- Highlight electric vehicle charging locations.
While promoting eco-friendly travel options, you should always consider accessibility for all individuals. Recognise that some options may not suit everyone’s needs.
Waste Management and Plastic Reduction In Leisure Centres
The waste we generate doesn’t just disappear. Unless we recycle it, it either ends up in landfills or is burned, lingering in the environment for long periods, even centuries. Burning waste might create power, but the resulting smoke and chemicals harm the atmosphere.
Hence, it’s crucial to minimise waste creation. Cultivating a culture that values resources and promotes repair, recycling, and reuse is essential in reducing waste. Implementing systems that encourage both members and staff to make sustainable choices and explore alternatives where possible is key. This can be achieved in various ways, including:
- Opt for digital methods instead of paper to reduce consumption.
- Prolong the lifespan of sports gear by avoiding frequent replacements.
- Consider programmes for renting, returning, and recycling.
- Donate used equipment to extend its usefulness and benefit others.
Go-Green Eco-Friendly Cards: A Certified Carbon Neutral Britain Product
At Xn Leisure, we are committed to sustainability and actively seek environmentally friendly alternatives to our plastic products. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our Go-Green cards.
Go-Green is the UK’s very first Carbon Neutral Britain Certified access control card. These cards are crafted from a 85% recycled materials, reducing the demand for new resources and aligns with the global commitment to reduce plastic waste. Because of this, opting for cards manufactured in this way help to reduce the carbon footprint associated with producing access cards, which also helps to minimise the carbon footprint of both Xn and our customers.
Go-Green cards are designed to be more durable, ensuring that they can withstand the test of time without sacrificing print quality. In fact, you’ll find that they perform just as well as l single-use plastic cards. The remain competitively priced to produce so it wont cost our customer anything extra as we switch over to supply these access cards.
All reprints and new orders for membership cards will now be fulfilled using our Go-Green carbon-neutral solution. This means you can make a positive impact on the environment without any hassle.
Jonas: Leading Sustainability Through Xn’s Parent Company
We’re proud to be part of Jonas, our parent company, which shares our passion for a greener future. Here are some of the exciting sustainability initiatives that Jonas has embarked on:
Carbon Offsetting
One of our most significant achievements is the complete offsetting of Jonas’ 2021 carbon emissions. They achieved this by investing in a variety of eco-conscious projects, including:
- Improved Cooker Stoves: Distributing improved cooker stoves to communities, reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality.
- Wind & Solar Power Initiatives: Supporting renewable energy sources like wind and solar power to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
- Methane Gas Capture: Implementing initiatives that capture methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas, preventing it from entering the atmosphere.
But their commitment to carbon reduction doesn’t stop here. They are currently finalising their data collection for 2022, which will undergo rigorous auditing in Q3 2023. Looking ahead, they plan to have their 2023 emissions audited by Q1 2024. They will continue to implement sustainability measures across all their businesses to reduce our carbon footprint. In cases where reducing emissions directly isn’t feasible, they will invest in Verified Carbon Standard offset initiatives to balance out their carbon impacts.
Planting Trees Initiative
As part of the Jonas sustainability project, Jonas has been offered 15 spots to participate in a tree planting event near Oxford, which the Xn team also participated in. This event was crucial for rehabilitating ancient woodlands that have been affected by issues like Ash dieback, which disrupts pathways for walkers. The initiative aims to replace the ailing Ash trees with more resilient varieties like Hazel, Hawthorn, and Blackthorn, ensuring the long-term health of this precious ecosystem.
The Regenerative Agriculture Foundation
Jonas is thrilled to announce its partnership with the Regenerative Agricultural Foundation (RAF). The RAF shares Jonas’ vision of a world where the intrinsic value of people, plants, animals, and the planet is revered and cared for, fostering the regeneration of both human and natural communities. Through this partnership, Jonas will support organisations that align with this vision, contributing to a more sustainable and regenerative world.
At Jonas and Xn, sustainability isn’t just a goal; it’s an ongoing commitment that drives the company to take meaningful actions, reduce its carbon footprint, and actively contribute to the well-being of the planet. Together, Jonas and Xn leisure are forging a path towards a greener, more sustainable future for all of us in the leisure industry.
To find out more about how Xn leisure can help provide the tools for you to build a more sustainable leisure facility, please contact Xn leisure today.
