What is it?
DEFINITION
Pollution
Pollution is the presence or introduction of a substance into the environment which has harmful or poisonous effects.
Substances which cause pollution are known as pollutants and are mostly created by human activities. There are three main types of pollution:
✓ Air pollution is particles and gases in the air which can cause harm to humans and the natural environment. Sources from tourism businesses include cleaning supplies, paints, and chemicals used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units.
✓ Land pollution is the presence of pollutants on, or within, the ground. Waste to landfill and inorganic pesticides and fertilisers are significant contributors from the tourism sector.
✓ Water pollution is the contamination of water sources by substances which make the water unsafe for humans, flora and fauna. Water pollution can be caused by land pollution seeping into watercourses due to rain.
Other types of pollution include noise, light, and heat.
Why is it important?
There are several reasons why your business should work towards reducing the amount of pollution it produces.
Importantly, pollution has a negative impact on health. Air pollution alone causes around 1 in 19 deaths in UK towns and cities, particularly in the south.
As we are all affected by the impact pollution has on our health, it’s important for everyone, including businesses, to play a part in reducing it.
Pollution also has serious negative consequences for biodiversity and ecosystems. Pesticides, for example, used to kill weeds and insects can seep into the waterways and cause harm to wildlife.
As tourism is often reliant on the natural environment to attract customers, it is in the best interest of all tourism businesses to reduce the amount of pollution they produce to preserve the natural environment.
How can I improve it in my business?
Six top tips that you can implement to prevent air, water and land pollution are presented below.
Reduce the use of harmful cleaning products
Reduce the use of non-ecologically friendly antibacterial hand soaps, hand sanitisers and cleaning products, where possible, as these find their way into waterways and can damage the natural environment.
Use eco-cleaning products
Look for cleaning products with eco-labels and prioritise multi-purpose products to
minimise waste. You can check the list of the best eco-cleaning products in 2021 here.
Safely dispose of fat, grease, and oil
Blocked drains cause sewage to overflow, polluting the land and water. This occurs roughly 366,000 times every year in the UK, three-quarters of which were caused by fats, oils, and grease (FOG). Reuse your FOG or dispose of it safely by letting it cool and solidify. Once cool and solid, scrape it into a container that can be thrown away.
Reduce use of harmful chemicals in green areas
If you grow some of your own produce or have gardens and green spaces, reduce the use of harmful chemicals for growing fruit and vegetables and certain flower species and for maintaining lawns, such as pesticides and fertilisers. For all produce you purchase, look to source certified organic alternatives, as these are grown without the use of chemicals.
Monitor air quality and pollution
Keep your space well-ventilated and use electric or gas heating (instead of burning wood and coal). Set up an indoor air quality (IAQ) monitor to help you keep track of your indoor air quality by reporting on the levels of common pollutants and other air conditions in real time.
Reduce waste to landfill
Follow the waste hierarchy: do everything you reasonably can to refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, or recycle waste (in that order) to reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills, incinerators, and waterways.
Downloads
Pollution prevention checklist
Green businesses should look for ways to reduce the amount of pollution they produce to benefit the environment and public health.
This checklist provides you with advice on how to prevent pollution in your business.
A case study – The Ropewalk
Who is The Ropewalk?
The Ropewalk is a regionally acclaimed centre for the arts housing galleries, a Sculpture Garden, Coffee Shop, and Ropery Hall – a venue for live music, theatre and cinema within a Grade II listed former rope factory.
What is the business doing?
The Ropewalk is using ecologically friendly cleaning products (including hand soap and floor cleaner) which are kinder to the environment. To cut down on waste pollution, these are purchased in bulk boxes and the containers are reused. The supplier’s distribution centre is also nearby, reducing air pollution from transport.
What can my business do?
Have you researched the ecological impact of your cleaning products? Consider switching to ecologically safe and alternatives. If you can, go plastic free while you’re at it! This will help reduce plastic waste pollution.
‘It is surprising how we, as a trusted business, can influence our customers’ decisions. Throughout the years of shouting about our green credentials, we have had customers tell us how they have been influenced by our example. Some have even purchased large refill boxes of washing up liquid to reduce their own plastic waste’
Liz Bennet, CEO
#GreenTourism Lincolnshire
Is your business working towards preventing pollution? Share it on social media with #GreenTourismLincolnshire
