Environment & Sustainability

Tees Active’s aim is to achieve high standards of environmental practice throughout the operation of all our venues and is committed to the delivery of its services in an environmentally responsible manner by reducing the impact of its operations on the environment where possible. Our commitment covers all aspects of the organisations operations and is aligned to the Environmental & Sustainability Plan. We will identify the main environmental impacts of our activities and will endeavour to continually improve our environmental performance.

Latest Initiatives

FLIP THE SWITCH

The average leisure centre uses the same amount of power as 277 homes per day! This campaign reminds everyone to flip the switch and consider our use of electricity.

WASTE LESS

This initiative focuses on our collective efforts to increase the amount of waste that is recycled across our venues and therefore reducing the amount of waste we send to landfill.

EVERY DROP COUNTS

This initiative reminds us all to be more mindful when running showers or taps and using hot water. By changing our behaviours even just a tiny bit makes a massive difference.

Our Investments

Whilst developing a strong environmental culture within the organisation plays an key role in achieving objectives, it is also important to acknowledge that investment in new or replacing existing technology or equipment is also a key element to driving sustainability improvements. As part of our commitment, we have invested in the following areas…

PV Panels

Solar panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity to use in our venue.

Passive Infrared Sensors

To turn off lighting in unoccupied corridors, changing rooms and toilets after prolonged periods of no movement.

Voltage Optimisers

To control or optimise the incoming grid voltage to provide a reduced supply voltage for the venue’s equipment.

Gym Timers

Powering down main circuits to reduce electricity consumption out of hours and auto turned back on for opening.

COOLNOMIX

Air conditioning optimisation to reduce consumption by 56% and save around 5.6 tonnes of CO2 each year.

Pool Filter & Plate Covers

Innovative system installed to prevent heat loss and therefore energy consumption to reheat.

LED Lighting

Reduce repairs and maintenance whilst improving energy efficiency across the venues.

Pool Covers

Reduces heat lost into the swimming pool environment to save energy reheating the water.

Green Mark Accreditation

Green Mark is an action-driven accreditation that creates an achievable and credible pathway to a sustainable business culture. Our commitment to the Green Mark accreditation will enable us to better understand our current environmental impacts in order to establish processes, monitor and benchmark performance and support a cultural understanding to enable continual improvement across the organisation.

Our venues have achieved Level 2 Accreditation – we successfully measure, benchmark, target and develop and enact actions plans.

Performance

Since launching Tees Active’s Environment and Sustainability Plan in 2022, it has been our focus to consistently improve. Improving our knowledge and awareness. Improving our operations and ability to influence our impact on the environment. Improving the way we record, measure and benchmark the data to better understand how we can develop and adapt the ways we work. Everything we do is focused on making a real and measurable difference to our environment. Below we have included a simplistic overview of performance across all of our venues collectively.

It’s really important to acknowledge that an increase and decrease in footfall and external influences like the weather, as well as several other factors that influence usage across our venues.

Electricity kWh

↑ 0.71%

Gas kWh

↑ 4.21%

Water m3

↓ 5.86%

Total C02

↑ 4.98%

Building a Sustainable Future Together

Building a sustainable future for our communities requires everyone to play their part and now is the time to take action. Our venues are large and require lots of energy to power them on a daily basis. To drive positive change across our venues we have created a ‘Green Team’ this team will help to raise awareness, implement positive initiatives and inspire everyone to take responsibility for their actions.

Paul Bambrough

Thornaby Pavilion

Paulina Banaszek

IB Leisure

Andrew Carter

Thornaby Pool

Chris Gibbens

Tees Barrage Watersports Centre

Natalie Cormack

Stockton Splash

Matt Prosser

Billingham Forum

Pete Williamson

Head Office

Tees Active’s Environmental Plan

Tees Active’s Environment & Sustainability Plan consolidates our intentions and commitment to adopting best practices across the organisation to reduce consumption and work towards a more sustainable future. Below we have published our Environmental & Sustainability Statement alongside a number of FAQs to highlight the ways we will be making changes across the organisation.

Our Environment & Sustainability Statement

Tees Active’s aim is to achieve high standards of environmental practice throughout the operation of all our venues and is committed to the delivery of its services in an environmentally responsible manner by reducing the impact of its operations on the environment where possible. Our commitment covers all aspects of the organisations operations and is aligned to the Environmental & Sustainability Plan. We will identify the main environmental impacts of our activities and will endeavour to continually improve our environmental performance.

To achieve this aim and the reduction in consumption and carbon emissions, we will routinely identify, monitor and address its environmental impacts by setting and meeting the following statements that are linked to the organisations key priority areas:

Our Services

Energy Management

  • Reduce the consumption of non-renewable energy, water and other materials to a minimum.

Plant and Equipment

  • All existing plant and equipment are maintained to operate at its most efficient; where new plant is to be specified, all measures are taken to ensure the plant or equipment is energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Our Community

Waste Management and Recycling

  • Make every effort towards maximising the separation and recycling of waste.

Noise Protection

  • Shall ensure that noise nuisance to residents adjacent to our venues is removed or reduced to a minimum.

Transport

  • Employees and members of the public shall be given every encouragement to arrive by bicycle, on foot or by public transport.

Our Team

Education and Training

  • Tees Active employees shall be given education and awareness training in order to work towards achieving the aims of the Plan.

Our Performance

Legislation

  • Conform to environmental legislation and whenever possible introduce new methods or procedures before they become compulsory by law.

Technology

  • Shall endeavour to be investigate and research new technology regarding energy efficiency and concern for the environment.

Environmental Action Plan

  • Present a future strategy and identifies the priorities for the organisation on a year-by-year basis.

 

We will ensure this plan and any associated objectives and targets are regularly reviewed and effectively implemented.

How often will you review your Environmental Action Plan?

Tees Active will identify the priorities for the organisation on a year-by-year basis. The plan makes specific reference to our services, our team, our community, our performance and to the challenges posed by climate change as well as our aspirations to work with others to drive down carbon production and reduce consumption of energy and raw materials.

Will technology play a part in your future plans?

We will endeavour to investigate and research new technology regarding energy efficiency and concern for the environment throughout our venues. We will continue to invest in replacement of more energy efficient plant and equipment to conserve energy and reduce pollution as part of our capital investment programme. We will also continue to use technology to monitor and control the environment within our venues, both to ensure optimum energy efficiency and to provide suitable conditions for participating in leisure and associated activities

Useful Links

The Walking & Cycling Hub

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Connect Tees Valley

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Local Cycling Routes

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Environmental Volunteering Roles

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Council Recycling Information

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Proud to work in partnership

Find out more about how Tees Active are working with partners to drive positive change in the community.

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