Responsible Tourism Policy

In the visitor experience we offer and across all areas of business practice, Shantytown has a commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

We endeavour to buy wisely, dispose of waste responsibly and seek ways to continually improve our environmental performance by ensuring we use no more resources than our business requires. 

In addition to this we recognise the wider community value of many other organisations in our area, and actively work with them to share the business equipment, expertise and infrastructure that our unique attraction provides. 

We are committed as an organisation and business to comply with relevant environmental legislation and regulations, as well as the requirements of various associations to which we subscribe through membership.

The value of our staff is recognised in terms of their expertise and innovation in the particular operating areas of Shantytown they work within. To this end their input and ideas are actively encouraged bolstering our commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement.

As a responsible Tourism operator, we focus on:

Reducing Energy consumed (oil, coal, electricity)

• Train coal consumption measured and monitored to ensure an efficient passenger service operation 
• Blended coal purchased to produce optimum steaming conditions whilst producing low sulphur emissions
• Regular programme of train survey, boiler assessment and track maintenance ensures a safe and efficient operation
• Power consumption – solar power in Chinatown & Train Stop audio system
• All un-used electrical appliances turned off each night  Where practicable install energy efficient lights

• Composting grass & shredded paper, cardboard broken down and recycled
• Recycle aluminium cans
• Administration waste e.g. paper, cardboard, copier cartridges recycled
• Cooking oil – reduced quantity, recycled as Bio-diesel
• Food waste – removed from site for use on local pig farm
• Bread/baking/green waste – used as food for Shantytown chickens
• Rubbish skip – Reduction in number of collections weekly. Reduced from 2 to 1 from
• March 2010, reduced a further 50% on average since 1 April 2011
• Steam train clinker used as base for walking tracks
• Water consumption – bricks in toilet cistern’s/dual flush system
• Maintain 500 acres of native regenerating bush
• Carbon credit system in place for forestry block
• Use of biodegradable cleaning products where practicable