HOLESTONE MOOR BARNS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Here at Holestone Moor Barns holiday cottages, we are committed to providing 5 star self catering holidays whilst minimising the environmental impact of our activities.
We are trying, in a small way, to look after the environment for this and future generations to enjoy and we hope that you will help us during your stay here.
Some of the steps we have taken to reduce our impact are:-
- We have planted almost 5000 native trees, hedgerow plants and shrubs since 1998
- We maintain a wildlife meadow, ponds and a small orchard to provide shelter and food for native wildlife
- We run our business vehicle on ‘bio fuel’ – at present this is a blend of fossil fuel oil and vegetable oils but the proportion of vegetable oil is increasing all the time
- We have insulated our cottages to a very high standard and each heater is thermostatically controlled
- We have replaced all our standard light bulbs with low energy bulbs (sorry, they take a few seconds to ‘warm up’ and reach maximum efficiency!)
- We provide bins for compostable waste, and anything that’s suitable for feeding to our chickens.
- Our local authority introduced some waste recycling in March 2007 and plastics recycling in January 2011. We ask for your help in sorting waste into the required categories (paper/plastics/card/metals etc).
- We support local suppliers (farmers, local shops, tradesmen etc), even where they are more expensive than other sources
- We buy products for the cottages with minimum packaging, whenever these are of sufficiently high quality
- We use toilet rolls made from recycled paper
- We have joined the Green Tourism Business Scheme, and in 2007 & 2009 were delighted to be given Silver awards, after having rigorous assessments.
Green Tourism Business Scheme Silver Award - 2007 & 2009
- We have increased our use of recycled water by installing more rainwater barrels, taps etc
- We have replaced shower heads with ‘water saving’ versions. These are just as good to use!
- We have installed a 15KW wind-powered turbine (August 2009), helping to reduce our carbon footprint.
- We continually review our ‘green’ policy and upgrade our facilities
How can you help?
- Please use our recycling bins and take a little extra time to sort your refuse into the appropriate categories
- Please don’t leave heating turned on full and windows/doors wide open!!
- Please turn off lights & electrical appliances when not required
- Please try to support local businesses while you are here by buying local products & gifts. We especially recommend our local farm shop & cafe which is within walking distance
- If we had public transport here it would be great to use it – but we don’t. However we recommend the steam train journeys between Matlock & Rowsley for a good trip out; the carbon emissions it produces per person are apparently much less than that produced by a day trip out in the car
Most importantly
Please tell us of any ideas that you have, that could help us to be more ‘environmentally friendly’, while not compromising on the comfort of our cottages.
Vicki & Steve (January 2011)
