Sustainability Policy

Our Objectives

• Manage our environmental impacts related to the reduction of energy consumption, waste management, vehicle emissions, and protection of the trails, road systems, and waterways we utilize on tour.
• We strive to keep energy usage as low as possible and continue to dedicate funds and efforts to increase more efficient and sustainable energy sources.
• Promote a healthy and safe work environment for our employees and guests and improve their knowledge and skills in terms of tourism sustainability in Juneau.
• Collaborate with guides and industry leaders as more environmentally friendly practices and non-polluting materials become available in Juneau.
• We strive to also be a constant collaborator and advocate as we choose to support efforts in our area which promote more energy efficient and/or sustainable management practices.
• We continuously review our policies and improve as new methods and technologies become available and commit to a full review every two years (FALL 2026 is the next review).

Our Mission and Core Beliefs

At Gastineau Guiding we believe it is our responsibility and privilege, as an Outdoor Adventure Tour Operator which provides services to thousands of visitors, to introduce and demonstrate sustainable practices and alternatives. We strive to be Juneau's Premier Guiding and Whale Watching company by delivering authentic, fully-guided, small group wilderness tours with a sustainable approach, ensuring with care the Safety, Service, and Sense of Wonder afforded to each guest. This sustainability policy serves as a guide as our company continues to grow and practices evolve in an ever-changing climate.

At Gastineau Guiding we value the power of education and connection. We are lucky to have the chance to provide life changing experiences to guests from around the world. As recognition of this special opportunity, we make every effort to provide information and inspiration as we are not only educating guests about the changes in our environment, but we're able to share with them the impacts of those changes. It is the most impactful way to make a connection and a difference. This policy identifies three core values and five areas of sustainable practices throughout our operations.

1. Company Mission & Core Beliefs

A. Safety Objectives

To continue to be Juneau's Premier Guiding Company we must:

• Require all team members be equipped by having the necessary training, tools, and ability to respond to any unforeseen incidence or accident.
• Insure the maintenance, safe operation, and reliable use of all company vehicles, vessels, equipment, and properties.
• Adhere to or exceed the operational standards and expectations set forth by all partner organizations with the authority to monitor, regulate, or evaluate the operation of our tours.
• Encourage and empower all team members to effectively communicate and resolve safety issues.

B. Service Objectives

To continue to be Juneau's Premier Guiding Company we must:

• Set the stage of excellence for our guests at the start of every tour and strive to exceed our guests' expectations.
• Create a sense of value & satisfaction within each segment of the tour.
• Make sure our guests are comfortable and are enjoying themselves.
• Introduce and enlist the participation of all our team members.
• End the tour with a strong conclusion along with opportunities to reconnect and use the tour experience as a resource for the future.

C. Sense of Wonder Objectives

To continue to be Juneau's Premier Guiding Company we must:

• Facilitate connections between the people and the place.
• Maintain our interpretive focus.
• Be aware of the quality of the guest experience throughout the tour.
• Deliver each tour with a personally crafted story or theme.
• Ensure the accuracy and relevancy of the information we share.
• Treat each tour as a special experience, each with a unique set of goals and actions.

2. Sustainability & Company Logistics

Sustainability has been a focal point of the company since its inception in 1994.

Sustainability, People, and Culture Coordinator

The Sustainability, People, and Culture Coordinator actively oversees the implementation of this policy and the action plan, and regularly communicates with colleagues and management on the results of the implemented policies and actions, the status of the objectives, and formulated recommendations for future steps.

Coordinator Duties

• Collaborate with the Management team in developing Gastineau Guiding's sustainability initiatives by coordinating current sustainability programs, plans and initiatives.
• Develop new policies and procedures to enhance environmental responsibility across all Gastineau Guiding operations and departments, within regulatory compliance, by gathering feedback, evaluating programs for improvement, and implementing changes.
• Demonstrate how proposed policies create net positive impacts, articulating expected results and costs.
• Use data/economic analyses, background research, and case studies to create reports and presentations for management and stakeholders.
• Work with the General Manager and Marketing Department to conduct outreach about sustainability programs.
• Develop ways to build on success and set bolder goals and initiatives going forward.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The Coordinator organizes monthly meetings along with frequent informal check-ins for certain projects aimed towards the continued development of our annual goals including sustainability.

Corrective Measures

The Coordinator monitors specific sustainable practices through training, visual signs, and announcements.

3. Sustainability in Office Operations

Energy

Energy Reduction Policy: Gastineau Guiding is dedicated to reducing energy consumption through the tracking of seasonal usage and exploring new technologies to assist us in saving and conserving energy.

• Energy from the main grid comes from hydropower.
• Our office follows a "switch off" policy and all staff are responsible for switching off any lights and equipment that is not in use.
• We use energy saving light bulbs (LED) when we can across the whole office and only switch on lights when necessary.

Water

• The office is connected to municipal water. This aquifer is fed by rain and snow melt in the many mountains located in the region.
• Low flow toilets installed.
• Water usage is monitored through the "Travelife Monitoring Resources Sheet."

Paper

• FSC-Certified and Green Seal Certified copy paper used.
• Printers all default to double-sided printing.
• Office staff minimize printing as often as possible.
• The main copy/printer toner is collected and refilled by the supplier.
• All paper waste is recycled through city recycling pick-up or company drop-off.

Food

• When using catering, we seek out locally owned vendors with sustainable packaging.
• Purchase bulk tour snacks from a sustainable supplier and re-package into single-serving compostable packages for guests to reduce plastic waste on the scale of nearly 150,000 packages per season.
• Refrigerator provided for employee food. During the winter it is cleaned out and turned off to save energy.

Transportation

• Staff are encouraged to walk, ride bikes, bus, and/or carpool to the office.
• Bikes and bike parking are provided.
• Electric Charging Stations available for employees with EVs.

Cleaning

• The office kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher for more efficient and energy saving cleaning.
• All harmful substances are disposed of at the City of Juneau's Hazardous Waste facility.
• We substitute "Simple Green," an environmentally passive product, instead of harmful cleaners.
• All coolant from vehicle maintenance is collected and disposed of responsibly through the City of Juneau's Hazardous Waste facility at the end of each season.
• We phased out non-compostable Clorox wipes. While we will continue to use Simple Green as our main cleaning chemical for bus cleaning, we are working with Alaska Green Solutions on a catch-all biodegradable soap for buses and office cleaning.

4. Sustainability in Tour Operations

Training

• Employees are trained in the operations and logistics of daily sustainable practices.
• Employees are responsible for the separation and proper disposal of waste from each tour group.
• Employees are provided resources and materials to share relevant environmental information with our guests.
• Collaboration within the workplace is welcome and staff are encouraged to discuss issues, concerns, solutions, and ideas with management and owners at any time.
• Employees go through a specific "How to Talk About Sustainability and Conservation on Tour" training to learn about appropriate environmental communication strategies they can implement on their tours.

Health & Safety

• All staff are provided with first aid kit and supplies.
• Office first aid kit available.
• All buses and boats are equipped with a first aid kit and vomit kits onboard.
• Bear Spray and Bear Safety Training are provided by the company.
• Approved fire extinguishers are provided in all workplaces including vehicles and vessels.

Vehicle and Vessel Management

• In our shop, the use of cleaners and solvents is minimized whenever possible and substituted with detergent.
• In our shop we recycle engine oils in house by repurposing them for heating oil during the winters.
• Buses and boats are scheduled efficiently with short breaks to limit deadheads.

Waste Management

• We work with the city, Recycleworks, as well as Juneau Compost to dispose of our waste as environmentally friendly as possible.
• All guides sort trash after tours and dispose in receptacles designated paper/plastic/compostable/landfill.
• Waste usage is monitored through the "Travelife Monitoring Resources Sheet."

5. Advocacy & Public Relations

Company Travel

Management staff travel is recorded in the "Travelife Monitoring Resources Sheet." The Sustainability Coordinator works with companies to strategize the application of carbon offsets.

Trade Shows and Employee Fairs

• Minimizing the amount of paper material used at tradeshows is actively prioritized.
• Any unused marketing or printed material is returned to the office for later use.
• Digital advertising and QR codes are used to promote further learning.

Community Outreach

• Through partnerships with other tourism operators in Juneau, Gastineau works to collaborate when possible to develop sustainable business operations across the industry.
• Gift certificates are donated to a variety of nonprofit and school organization fundraisers, including Alaska Heat Smart.
• The management team is involved in different boards throughout the tourism industry and community, and is an active participant in annual meetings.
• Platform for guests to visit after the tour to promote learning and reconnection.
• Through strategic partnerships with other sustainably-minded companies, Gastineau is able to offer guides and guests discounts on products from companies at the forefront of sustainable production.

Community Involvement

Gastineau Guiding is an active member of local organizations which promote sustainable and responsible practices and operations, including: WhaleSENSE, TBMP, Juneau Commission on Sustainability (JCOS), and SEAWWA.

6. Sustainability Policies

Sustainable Purchasing Policy

When purchasing services and products, preference is given to products that have been produced with respect for people and the environment. We continue to compare pricing and products with new and used distributors in town for key products such as paper, consumer goods, and energy. Gastineau Guiding gives preference to more sustainable products & services. When selecting our providers, we apply the following procedure:

• We give preference to products with a recognized environmental or sustainability certificate or proved sustainability qualities.
• We prefer products which have been locally produced.
• We buy from local suppliers when possible.
• We prefer to work with suppliers and service providers who have a sustainability reputation.

When purchasing key products, we apply the following sustainable purchasing procedure:

• We try to figure out how much of our purchases meets the five R's: Reduce, Repair, Repurpose, Reuse, Recycle.
• We investigate possible sustainable alternatives.
• We compare these alternatives on price, quality, and availability.
• We commit ourselves to buy the most sustainable alternative in relation to the above factors.

Key products include, but are not limited to: paper, electric devices, cars, electricity, heating, furniture, food, cleaning supplies, and building materials.

Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy

It is Gastineau Guiding's policy to conduct all business in an honest and ethical manner. We take a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and are committed to acting professionally, fairly and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships wherever we operate, and implementing and enforcing effective systems to counter bribery. Zero-tolerance for any indiscretions made against minors or adults while on tour or at the workplace.

If a guide has witnessed an incident they are encouraged to speak to a manager or contact local authorities at 586-0600 and/or Office of Child Services at 1-800-478-444. As there is no business or community immune from this risk, we all have a role to play in eradicating this crime. It is our objective to empower staff to take protective measures for themselves and the guests on tour.

If staff would like to take an optional one-hour paid training through the Travelife training platform, please reach out to the Director of Sales and Marketing at ashlynn@gguiding.com.