Sustainable sourcing in Marinas

What is sustainable sourcing?

Sustainable sourcing is generally considered a comprehensive approach to procurement that integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations into the process of obtaining goods and services. In practical terms, it asks us to review our suppliers and purchases and to prioritise those that minimise harm to the planet, support ethical labour practices, and contribute to long-term economic resilience.

The goods and services that a marina purchases—whether construction materials, electricity and fuel, maintenance equipment, cleaning supplies, or food and drink—carry both environmental and social impacts throughout their supply chains. While the scale and complexity of sustainable sourcing can initially seem overwhelming, it also presents a clear opportunity for marinas to take positive, practical action. By adopting a sustainable sourcing program, marina managers can actively reduce environmental harm and support ethical labour practices across their supply networks.

The good news is that sustainable sourcing offers a range of tangible benefits. These include improved regulatory compliance, enhanced brand reputation, increased customer trust and loyalty, and, most importantly, the protection of the marine environment—an ecosystem upon which the entire marina industry fundamentally relies.

How to implement a sustainable sourcing program

1. Do some research and build your framework

ISO 20400 is the ISO standard that provides guidelines for integrating sustainability into procurement processes and is a useful aid for setting up internal sourcing policies. The IOC Sustainability Essentials on sustainable sourcing is also a great free resource as is The Toolbox, which has downloadable templates to help you create your first sourcing code. Existing software such as Sourcemap or Sedex can also be used if you have the budget.

2. Win over top management

This can’t be underestimated. Depending on the size of the marina, you might want to identify champions in different departments as well. Sustainable sourcing requires a long-term commitment and can’t be managed as an ad hoc project.

3. Identify your priorities

Given the size of the subject, it's unwise to try to tackle everything at once. Use one of the following methods, or a combination, to identify your priorities:

Work with the accounts team to identify your greatest spend categories
Use your carbon footprint to identify which categories have the greatest impact
Choose a category that you’ve already identified as being material to your sustainability strategy

Once you have identified your priorities, the Ecolabel Index website can help you identify different sustainability certifications per purchase category.

4. Engage your team

Sustainable sourcing is a team effort. You’ll need to work closely with the purchasing department to understand (and get ahead of) the marina’s upcoming procurement needs as well as understand any technical or economic limitations. Once you have your list of priorities, discuss these with your team to identify what is feasible and in what timeframe. Put in place regular check-ins to follow progress and don't be afraid to start with the low-hanging fruit like removing single use plastics or switching to a renewable energy electricity supplier - measurable and quick progress is an excellent way to build support and momentum for your program!

5. Engage your suppliers

How you engage suppliers will depend on your procurement model. Ad hoc purchases are easier to adjust but offer limited scope for long-term improvements. Long-term contracts may require more active engagement, particularly with existing suppliers. Sharing a sustainable sourcing code can help clarify your expectations—aim to include it in contracts wherever possible to build shared accountability.

6. Engage the boating community

Marinas also have a great opportunity to facilitate sustainable sourcing for the boating community through their chandleries, food and drink services and energy supply. Speak with your clients about what they would like to see and try to implement a community focused project.

Places to start

1. Switch to Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products:

Replace harmful chemicals with biodegradable, non-toxic alternatives for cleaning boats, docks, and facilities. Combining this with a refill station could also help reduce single-use plastic use.

2. Source renewable energy & energy efficient lighting and equipment

Switch to a renewable energy electricity supplier and improve energy efficiency by opting for LED lighting, solar-powered dock lights, and certified energy-efficient appliances. Some marinas are even trialling Boat to Grid technology enabling renewable energy uptake with possible reduced energy costs for marinas and boaters.

3. Use Certified Timber and Materials

When purchasing wood for repairs or construction, choose FSC-certified or reclaimed timber to ensure responsible forestry. ECOcrete is a nature inspired concrete alternative that improves durability and encourages biological regeneration.

4. Source Recycled and Sustainable Office Supplies

Use 100% recycled or FSC-certified paper, refillable pens, and switch to digital alternatives to reduce paper waste.

5. Buy Locally When Possible

Prioritise local suppliers for food, uniforms, repair materials, and services to cut transport emissions and support the local economy.

6. Choose Eco-Certified Fuel or Lubricants

Transition to bio-based or low-toxicity lubricants and fuels approved for use in marine environments. Always make sure that any bio-based fuels come with sustainability certification such as ISCC or RSB ensuring sustainable sourcing of input materials.

7. Ban Single-Use Plastics in Procurement

Eliminate plastic cutlery, bags, and water bottles in favour of compostable or reusable alternatives. Note: If you choose compostables make sure you have composting available onsite.

8. Communicate Sustainable Choices

Use signage and online channels to inform customers about your sustainable sourcing actions and encourage participation.

Resources