Holiday Cottage Environmental Policy

Our principally aim is to provide a holiday environment that is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.

While we are providing our principal aim we also wish to be environmentally responsible and support the island and Fair Trade

Updated 4th December 2010

• We give a additional 4% discount to customers that do not bring cars.
  
• We have reduced our energy usage by use of good insulation, eco light bulbs (where possible without reducing light level), latest addition another four led downlighters and replacement of the old led down lighter bulbs to 80 led down lighter bulbs,  and controller to switch heaters on centrally to ease control, and inclusion of temperature displays to help our customers.
  
• We have now added a device that continually shows what electricity is being used minute by minute so you can see the changes by switching on or off various devices. All these changes do not impacting customers holiday enjoyment most people will not notice any difference other than the energy display unit in the cupboard under the stairs.
• We have also switched our supplier of electricity to what we believe is the leader in investment in renewable sources - Green Energy . There are also refunds if less electric is used during the colder months.
• Our main bank we use is the only bank currently that has achieved Carbon Trust Standard.
  
• We also use www.1and1.co.uk as a web site provider, they are currently the only green web space provider.
  
• Batteries used within the property where possible are rechargeable and use of a solar recharger created from recycled photo cells from garden lights are used to recharge these batteries when there is enough light, which is most of the year on the island.
• Paper waste is recycled into paper brickettes for use in our own house to reduce our use of heating energy and also used to improve aeration of our 4 compost bins.
• We are including more and more environmentally friendly products to maintain the accommodation and products that the customers use such as Ecover soaps.
• Our welcome basket is changing over to increased use of Fair Trade, organic or local products, the village store in the  village sells local bread, vegetables and meat.
• We try to assist our guests by providing information about local services and attractions.
• We are trying to encourage cycling and walking and have installed a secure bike rack with a cover, chain and padlock their are also bike tools for maintenance, and now water supply outside from a rain water butt and watering can, there is also a brush  and bucket in the stable to help cleaning. We have installed a boot scrapper, brush and crevice tool and will be making additions improvements to facilities in the near future. We are starting our own walks via our walking page with the help of a GPS device and digital camera.
• Bottles and aluminium cans are recycled in the village, a box is provided to take these. Paper waste is recycled by use into brickets to help power our log burner.
• A separate special bin is provided for compostable material which we use for our own vegetable production - we currently have four large compost bins.
• The building and grounds fall within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and we are continually trying to improve the green environment around the Carriers Stable to provide privacy and a better environment for birds and the local red squirrels. You can often see pheasants picking up seeds that have fallen out of the bird feeder or in season eating the berries from the 'Pheasant Bush' if the blackbirds haven't.
• We have added bird box, bat box and over wintering insect box.
• Banking for the running of this business is via the Co-op Bank (Ethical bank with green policies and funding) using the local post office in the village to deposit and withdraw or via post.
• Possible water leakage from external pipes is monitored.
• Some water from the roof is saved into two water butts for watering. Guests are encouraged to use some safe waste water from washing up to occasionally water the three pot plants on the patio during summer that way we don't have to come over to water. Drive area and patio have a permeable under layer to increase water absorption to avoid local water problems and reduce watering.
• If there are any further improvements that we can make we would be grateful for any suggestions, a suggestion book is provided for visitors.
• We support environmental initiatives by the council and other local bodies.
• We promote walking, cycling and use of public transport with a discount to guest that do not bring motorised transport. There is a local bus service, and there is a covered new bus stop at the bottom of the road for buses to all areas of the island.
• We do not advertise other than via paperless methods and where we do print we use a laser printer that is refilled by adding toner to the existing cartridge from http://www.refilltoner.com/ where you can save both money and reuse your cartridge by refilling with toner, no posting away just pour the powder in all instructions provided (now also colour toner).

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