Sustainable Bed & Breakfast
Living sustainably, for us, means acting in way that helps to ensure the continued survival of the community and environment that supports us, so that it can be enjoyed by future generations. It also means fostering a sense of place by utilising what the immediate environment and community produce, minimising energy consumption, and minimising waste. It is about making our lives more rewarding and enjoyable, not more difficult. It can also save us a few pennies !
Some methods of dealing with the increased pressure on our natural resources are simple to implement, and are being implemented by many of us daily. Other methods require a little more effort, time and investment, often a combination of all three. Following is a list of some of the things that we are doing at Rezare Farmhouse.
- Buying as much locally sourced produce as possible. This supports and encourages a thriving community from which everyone can benefit.
- Growing as many of our own vegetables and fruit as space, time and energy will allow.
- Encouraging visitors to look around the immediate area rather than travel for miles during the day in the car. This has obvious environmental benefits but also means that you can spend a greater proportion of your day pursuing the whole point of a holiday - relaxation !
- Implementing a resource-conscious policy in the rooms. We ask guests to leave only the towels that have been used in the shower or bath on the morning of departure so that we conserve water and electricity, and to turn off appliances when they are not in use rather than leaving them on standby.
- Buying Fairtrade
- Sourcing electricity from 100% renewable supplies, via Ecotricity
- Using Ecover ecological cleaning products, and natural, home-made cleaning solutions.
- Fitting energy saving bulbs into as many lights as possible.
- Buying recycled products for all of our stationary, from the Green Stationary Company.
- Collecting rainwater from the greenhouse roof in butts for watering the vegetable garden.
- Composting all organic matter, or feeding it to the chickens if they have been good girls.
- Making full use of North Cornwall's excellent kerbside collection to recycle all paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, foil etc.
- Monitoring energy, water use and waste on a weekly basis.
- Buying toilet paper, bedroom tissues and kitchen roll made from 100% organic cotton - a byproduct of the textile industry and completely wood pulp free.
- Sourcing sustainable alternatives wherever possible.
We have received a GTBS Gold Award and Green Acorn Award in recognition of the measures that we take.
J Evans, Ontario, Canada
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