A Greener Future
At Camera Obscura & World of Illusions we are committed to sustainability and to making continuous improvements wherever we can. This dedication was recently celebrated with a nomination for the Climate Action Award at the prestigious Thistle Awards, recognising our comprehensive efforts to reduce our environmental impact.
Our journey towards sustainability is data-driven and meticulously planned. By monitoring our energy consumption, waste generation, and water usage, we've made significant strides in understanding and mitigating our carbon footprint. For instance, our transition to 100% renewable energy sources and our major renovations for better insulation have reduced our carbon emissions by 45% compared to 2019 levels.
One of our notable changes includes switching to Grace and Green products which provide organic cotton period products with compostable/recyclable packaging. Grace and Green’s impact is substantial—they've prevented over 5.1 million plastic-filled products from polluting our landfills and oceans. By choosing their products, we contribute to this impressive environmental saving, aligning our operations with our green goals.
Furthermore, our approach to waste management is innovative and effective. All our general waste is processed through a Material Recycling Facility (MRF), transforming it into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) or Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF). This fuel is then utilised by cement manufacturers, aiding them in achieving their sustainability objectives. Impressively, none of our waste reaches landfills.
We've also observed a promising trend in our waste reduction efforts this year. For example, in May, we produced 25% less waste compared to the same month last year. Other months like April, July, and August also saw reductions of 7% and 14%, respectively. These decreases show the effectiveness of our strategies and the daily commitment of our team to maintain sustainable practices.
Within the last year, we have switched to Cheeky Panda toilet paper which is not only better for our sewage systems as bamboo paper breaks down easier but is also better for the planet as bamboo requires less water to grow. This switch is also helping us reduce our waste as all the packaging is recyclable whereas our previous toilet paper came individually wrapped in plastic.
In line with Edinburgh's Tourism Strategy 2030, our target is to reach Net Zero by 2030. By continuing to monitor and gather data, we can plan our strategies for reduction better and implement these accordingly.
Andrew Johnson, General Manager said "At Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, we are proud to champion sustainability, setting a standard in the tourism industry for environmental stewardship. Our journey is driven by a commitment to thoughtful, data-informed practices, from switching to 100% renewable energy to innovative waste management solutions. These efforts are not just about meeting standards but leading by example, inspired by Patrick Geddes' ethos to 'Think global, act local.’."
Our sustainable journey is not just about compliance; it's about setting an example. We strive to influence behaviour changes among our staff and visitors with on-site signage, information, website updates, social media posts and newsletters and in doing so work towards fostering a culture of sustainability.
In summary, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is not just a venue for entertainment but a leader of environmental stewardship, continuing the legacy of previous owner Patrick Geddes. We are proud to lead by example in the tourism industry. As we look to the future, we remain committed to our green initiatives, driving change and partnering with others to join us in our journey towards a more sustainable planet.