Environmental Policy
We recognise our obligation to operate in an environmentally responsible way and so we undertake all practical measures to be as environmentally-friendly as possible. In March 2021, we were the first business in Porlock Vale to be awarded with “Plastic Free Approved Status” for the actions we have taken to minimize/eliminate plastic within our operation.
Measures that we currently take include:-
- Recycling of paper, glass, plastic containers/bottles, juice cartons, cardboard, and food cans
- Wherever possible, we send packaging back to our suppliers for re-use (e.g. polystyrene boxes and egg trays)
- Most of our food waste is composted, including coffee grinds, and aluminium coffee capsules are also recycled
- We try to source our ingredients as locally as possible, to minimise our carbon footprint. We also grow some of our own produce
- Water butts are used to collect rainwater for use on the garden
- Re-usable glass water bottles and glass water tumblers, not plastic, are used in guest rooms
- Re-usable flasks of fresh milk are also provided for guest rooms, thereby cutting down on packaging waste
- Instead of small one-time use plastic-bottles for toiletries, we use larger, refillable bottles in guest bathrooms
- Guests are encouraged to separate recyclable waste from general waste in their room bins, therefore making it easier for us to collate and recycle.
- Kitchen cleaners are purchased in bulk for dispensing in re-usable spray bottles
- Most light bulbs have been replaced with low energy bulbs
- Lights are switched off during daylight hours, except those required for safety reasons. Sensor lights have been installed in corridors and solar lights are used in the garden
- Use of our tumble dryer is kept to a minimum (outside airer and inside drying room are used in most instances)
- Electrical equipment is taken off standby and radiator thermostatic valves are turned off (or set very low) in unoccupied rooms
- Improvements have been made to roof insulation and old single-glazed windows replaced
- Office paper is printed both sides before being recycled and used ink cartridges are sent back to the supplier for recycling
- Guests are encouraged to do some exploration of the local area on foot, bicycles or horseback, rather than taking the car everywhere. Exmoor is blessed with an abundance of footpaths and bridleways, and we advise guests on walks they can do from our doorstep.