Sustainability policy

Here’s our sustainability policy statement. We’ve published it here for transparency and accountability.

Our people, animals and environment are an integral and fundamental part of Folly Farm. We recognise that we need to sustainably balance environmental, social and economic factors in equal harmony to interact with our planet responsibly. We are invested in ensuring we are able to meet our present needs whilst also looking to the future and meeting the needs of future generations.

We remain environmentally conscious, and as a company look to be innovative and forward thinking. Consequently, we re-invest heavily every year and constantly evaluate our systems and practices to ensure they are current, relevant and best practice to our industry. This drive for self-improvement is what makes us a credible tourist attraction. One which promotes sustainability and seeks long term success. We understand that our activities have an impact on the environment in terms of use of raw materials, emissions to air and water and waste generation, and therefore we seek to minimise this as far as reasonably practicable.

Our sustainability policy has full support from all departments and some key points to our strategy include:

• Continually improve and review environmental performance in all operations.
• Reduce landfill waste; firstly, by minimising the amount of waste produced (including reusing techniques) and secondly participating in recycling programmes wherever possible.
• Make efficient use of natural resources by conserving energy and water.
• Comply with all relevant sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice to the industry sector we operate in.  
• Promote responsibility of the environment within the company and communicate this policy effectively to all departments and levels.
• Increase biodiversity of native species around the park.
• Partner with other conservation organisations, nationally and internationally, to ensure that we use our skills and resources to work on collaborative projects or to promote their environmental initiatives or schemes.
• Encourage suppliers to commit to adopting a sustainable philosophy that is in line with our own.

This may be achieved by;

• Keeping up to date and participating in revolutionary new recycling practices or programmes.
• Strengthen our sustainability message by developing a staff Green Team, ensuring that we consider the views and ideas of staff members; thus helping the company improve sustainability performance.
• Train and develop staff to care for equipment and refurbish durables where possible, to reduce the need to buy new.
• Continue to raise awareness of key conservation issues facing flora, fauna and habitats across the planet, using education signage, talks and special events.
• Train and develop all staff to conduct their work in a manner compatible with Folly Farm’s sustainability policy.
• Where possible, only work with organisations and suppliers that demonstrate the same visions about the environment and sustainability, to ensure they are also doing all they can to reduce environmental impact.
• Assessing biodiversity of native wildlife residing on our site and make a concerted effort to increase biodiversity wherever possible, including the creation of new habitats and making space for nature.