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Environmental Policy

We are aware of the importance of environmental sustainability and continuously seek to improve our environmental and social performance.

In order for us to reduce the effect of our carbon footprint, we have implemented a programme of ongoing action to achieve this, which our guests can also be part of.  Although not an exhaustive list, many of the things we do are listed below.  

Recycle:

  • We have separate external bins for splitting of recycling.
  • We have installed inserts in to all the room waste bins to encourage guests to recycle.
  • ​We recycle glass, card, paper, plastics, foil and garden waste and remove recylable material from bedroom bins which are fitted with dividers to encourage guests to recycle.
  • Supply Marlish bottled water in glass bottles for recycling.
  • Empty aluminium coffee pods are recycled via Nespresso’s send-back scheme (generally into drinks cans and car parts) and they turn the coffee into compost.  They are made from 80% recycled aluminium and their machines come in fully recyclable packaging made of 95% recycled material.
  • Half-used toiletries are used by us, then put in the recycling.
  • Glass jam pots and aluminium lids are recycled.
  • At the end of each season, out of date leaflets are recycled.

Reduce:

  • We use refillable containers for sauces rather than offering plastic sachets.
  • We’ve use low or non-VOC an no oil paints throughout the building.
  • We encourage guests to help reduce their carbon footprint too.
  • Rather than individual cardboard cereal boxes we use cereals in Kilner jars. We also make our own granola, muesli, bread, preserves, baked beans, cakes and room treats.
  • We provide reusable glass bottles of fresh milk rather than plastic pots of UHT milk.
  • Rather than buying biscuits in plastic wrappers we supply home made treats displayed in Kilner jars.
  • We reduced temporary wrappings like cling film by using long life containers to store things like bacon which can be washed between each use rather than discarded.​

Reuse:

  • Our egg trays are returned to Sunnyhills farm for re-use.
  • ​Many items have been sold to other B&Bs or given to charity rather than taking to landfill.
  • We are happy to fill guests’ own re-usable water bottles and we are members of the Refill scheme.
  • Plastic containers from the wholesalers for bulk items are re-used as cake containers and other storage.
  • Some of our cleaning products are diluted from concentrate. This prevents us having to keep buying trigger sprays as we re-use the trigger bottles over and over.
  • Our cleaning cloths are washed and re-used rather than using disposable wipes and cloths.
  • Rather than disposing of old towels they become rags for cleaning.
  • Tourist leaflets and maps in good condition are returned to the display case in reception for reuse by other guests.

Paper:

  • We use email where possible rather than post.
  • We print double sided where we can using recycled ink cartridges.
  • Printed waste paper is utilised on the other side for notes.
  • Our website is our brochure.
  • Guests are not required to print or show confirmations of booking or gift vouchers.
  • Invoices are not presented in envelopes.

Utilities:

  • Fitted the latest LED technology light blubs.
  • Many lights including external are on timers and/or dusk to dawn sensors.
  • New low energy boiler.
  • Radiators have thermostatic controls and we only heat bedrooms when in use.
  • Dining tables not have table cloths except for dinner to reduce the need for washing.
  • Having completely refurbished, many electrical items including fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washing machine are new and ‘A’ rated or above.
  • Our towel policy – towels will not be replaced daily unless they are left in the shower tray.  They will be replaced every three nights as required by our grading, along with bedding.
  • Having queried conservation regarding solar panels, unfortunately we are not allowed to fit them.
  • Our Nespresso machines have an auto power off mode and use only the necessary amount of electricity and water for the perfect cup of coffee.
  • There are timers on our bathroom fans.
  • All of the lights in the garden are powered by solar energy.
  • Energy usage is monitored monthly and also compared to previous years.
  • Our dressing gowns supplied in the bedrooms are made of a super soft material, designed to take 31% less drying time compared to normal terry toweling.  

Water:

  • Smaller kettles boiling only required water.
  • All toilets have smaller cisterns and shorter/dual flushes.
  • Only one bedroom has a baths to reduce water usage.
  • Rain water is collected to water plants in our back garden as well as the reclaimed water from our condensing dryer.
  • Some sink taps are designed to use less cold water.
  • All sink taps have flow restrictors to reduce wastage.
  • Our dressing gowns were chosen for their fast drying time.
  • Dish washers and washing machine are used on the shortest cycle for the task and use minimal water.

Food:

  • Food is sourced locally to reduce food miles.
  • As many items as we can possibly make are homemade.
  • Food is carefully ordered and cooked to minimise waste and amount of refrigeration needed.
  • Most unused/leftover food is eaten by us to vastly reduce waste.
  • Food scraps are currently not recycled and collected by the Councilbut this is expected to be introduced in the near future and we shall participate.
  • Cooking oil is disposed of via the council recycling.
  • Fruit past its best is turned into smoothies.
  • Fresh milk is replaced in bedrooms daily and we use leftovers.
  • Our experience has led to carefully assessed portion control for filling meals but no wastage.

Transport:

  • We encourage the use of trains, and buses, and provide timetables and maps.  
  • Many places can be reached by bus or bicycle (if you have one) and the routes are of course very scenic.
  • We buy as much of our produce locally to reduce the need for long journeys and we buy in bulk to reduce the number of journeys we need to make.
  • We provide directions for our favourite walks and umbrellas for when it may be a little wet.

Wildlife:

  • We encourage birds by feeding them in our garden and keeping wilder areas and plenty of trees and mature shrubs.  
  • Many of the shrubs have berries and seeds which attract and feed the birds.
  • We have plenty of flowering plants to attract bees.
  • Garden waste is composted.  Larger waste is chipped by the local council, collected bi-weekly.

How Our Guests Can Help & Participate:

  • Arrive by public transport / use public transport or walk whilst staying here.
  • Don’t print out your confirmation emails (we don’t need to see them), we already ask for all your information prior to arrival to avoid the need for printing registration forms.
  • Turn off taps when brushing teeth.
  • Use the short flush facility on toilets.
  • Don’t ask for your towels to be replaced / washed daily.
  • We give you the option whether or not to have your room serviced each day. 
  • Take showers not baths.
  • Turn radiator thermostats down slightly.
  • Put a jumper on rather than turning the heating up and wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
  • Turn the radiator down rather than taking a jumper off.
  • Turn your lights, TV and air-conditioning off when leaving your room.
  • Only boil the amount of water you need for hot drinks.
  • Use our external recycling bin for your rubbish or leave at the side of your bedroom bin.
  • We give guests the choice if they wish their bed and towels to be replaced half way through their stay (4 nights +).