Bluewater is committed to sustainability and the continual improvement of our social, economic and environmental sustainability performance.  We have a vision to implement sustainability best practice in both our management of the centre and in any future enhancement work.

Sustainability is a core principle of our business and key to future proofing the centre against risks such as increasing weather severity associated with climate change, water scarcity, energy price spikes, material scarcity and alternate customer transport.

Bluewater invests significant time in ensuring that data collected is accurate and collated in a usable way. The accuracy of the data and its reporting is fundamental to identifying and implementing strategies to achieve our sustainability objectives and in 2008 we have shown improvement in many areas, including:

• Operational standards – The facility team are accredited with ISO9001 (quality), ISO14001 (environment) and ISO18001 (occupational health and safety)
• Water - Consumption of water is closely monitored and meters are being installed in areas of heavy water use. Water efficient fixtures and fittings are being incorporated into the bathroom upgrade program throughout the centre.  The first of which was completed in the West Village in March 2008 and is already showing savings. Over the past 12 months, water consumption across Bluewater has been reduced by approximately 3%
• Energy reduction initiatives – Shared area electrical usage has been reduced by 8% in the last 12 months. In our car parks we have replaced 6,800 lights with more energy efficient lighting
• Biodiversity – Bluewater is striving to achieve the Biodiversity Benchmark which is a system for managing the flora on fauna on site.  The first step in achieving this Benchmark has commenced with audits being conducted in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust
• Community partnerships – Bluewater partnered with Earthwatch to present the Bluewater Student Fellowship Pilot which provides funding local students to develop their local ecological initiative as well as financing a two-week Earthwatch expedition
• Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) – Non chemical cleaning trails have introduced that will deliver estimated savings of 1,500 litres of chemicals per year plus over 100,000 litres of water
• Green transport – A green transport plan is being developed to encourage guests and employees to choose more environmentally friendly transport options. The bus interchange and transport help desk is being upgraded to assist with this.