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Environmental details
Memberships:
RSPB
Coop Visa linked to give donations from use to RSPB
WWF
Portobello 2000 Traders’ Association (involvement in local initiatives)
Green Tourism Business Scheme - Winners of Gold Award
Member of “Juice” for electricity from sustainable source i.e. Wind Farms
Keep Edinburgh Clean - Winners of Gold Award
Re-cycling:
Separation of paper, cans, plastic, card and glass waste and deposit at re-cycling centres
Composting of leaves
Composting of plant materials etc cardboard and re-cyclable food waste
Rose and grass cuttings to next door church caretaker who composts on greater scale
Larger items e.g. dead rose bushes etc to Local Authority re-cycling at Seafield
Re-use of the rear of fliers, routine letters etc for copies and scrap paper
Use of re-cycled paper for menus
Re-use of menus for local maps, menu pads for dining room etc
Encouraging guests to return unused leaflets etc.
Use of re-cycled products (paper towels, toilet rolls)
Old clothes, toys, guests’ abandoned goods etc to charities
Old furniture etc to Elvon for re-use in community
Use of re-fillable liquid soap containers at whb’s
Re-cycling of soap bars using “soap sams” for own use
Use of rechargeable batteries and re-charging of ordinary batteries
Old towels re-used for dusters, cleaning cloths etc.
Switching to small pots for butter, jam and marmalade in d/room saving on packaging
Energy conservation:
Use of long life low energy bulbs
Timers to cut down lights in public areas only when needed
Dimmer switches
Outside light on motion detection
Savaplugs for, good seals on, and regular de-frosting of freezers/refrigerators
Replacing room kettles with smaller models
Monitoring and adjustment of timer and central thermostat for hot water and c/heating to optimise, gauging numbers of guests and occupancy and times of day when in
Radiators off when room not used (eg. Diningroom after breakfast until next morning)
Use of radiator thermostats to cut down unnecessary heat dissipation
Reflectors behind radiators to optimise heat distribution
Double glazing
Monitoring room bookings and use so that in quiet times use restricted to one or two floors to cut down heating use by shutting down areas
Self-closers on doors
Use of efficient oil-filled radiator for local heat for ourselves to restrict c/heating times
Use of time button switches on bathroom heaters to cut down wasteful use
Hot water tanks lagged with modern coating (thickness not known)
Two separate tanks – one for lower house so less needs be heated when house not full
Thermostats inside hot water tanks adjusted so heat output is not too high
Miraclites in fridges to cut electricity use by lowering thermostat
Hot water urn on timer to avoid being on needlessly: avoiding its use - using kettle depending on guests’ numbers – Using up hot water for own use during day
Now studying feasibility of solar panels for water heating
Garden:
Planted out for birds and other creatures (Denser bushes to give cover for birds, butterfly bushes,etc.)
Bird table and bird feeding and water (particularly in Winter) for drinking and baths
Composting of waste materials
Bird nest boxes for tits and robin
Water butt for rainwater collection
Water and waste:
Use of hippos in all toilets
Encouraging guests to re-use towels
Use of environmentally friendly cleaning agents to cut down harmful wastes to mains
Showers in all ensuites instead of baths cut down energy (and water) requirements
Flow restrictors in showers to cut down water wastage
W/machine, dishwasher chosen for low water use, economy cycles and low energy consumption
Disposal of large and potentially harmful items (microwave, fridge) with help of local authority at their Seafield site
Use of “wipeable” overcovers for tablecloths to cut down laundering
Restricting possible harm by third parties and liaising with others:
Many tasks e.g. decorating, electrical, routine maintenance done ourselves, and so cut down harmful effects of others’ actions
Our laundry service is a charity with established environmental policy
Builder, plumber etc when used, also aware of environmental disposal of waste from work done
General:
Business consciously structured so that we can manage without staff – so that we have very tight control of all aspects. This choice is for many reasons to suit us, with one of the benefits that we can tightly monitor use of energy, conservation, waste re-cycling, disposal etc etc
Extensive use of internet as advertising medium reducing dramatically on paperwork re bookings etc (e.g. two or three letters from us answering enquiry, confirming dates and confirming booking together with similar number for client now dealt with electronically by exchange of a set of e-mails). Use of fax paper (Faxes sent, received and stored by computer) paper brochures, promotional items etc also dramatically reduced.
Own letterheads and other literature produced ourselves.
Provision of menu choices on eve of breakfasts dramatically reduced food waste since exact quantities known for keeping fresh and control of preparation
All furniture purchased chosen for wood from sustainable forests i.e. pine
Own transport:
One car only – Toyota Prius electric/petrol hybrid chosen for low emissions and fuel economy - regularly maintained to cut down pollutants. Use restricted. Proposed to be retained over six years (and for foreseeable future!) since a large proportion of a car’s use of scarce resources is in manufacture and ultimate disposal.
Linking “outings” e.g.banking, disposal of waste and shopping to cut down on wasteful trips
Information and guest participation:
Local map and detailed directions on website with details of public transport alternatives on website to cut down wasted detours etc for guests
Local public transport info including bus map
Maps, for Edinburgh with detailed index to guide to destination, of Scotland for itinerary
Numerous bus tour leaflets available
Details of shared transport options from airport on website and on display
Cycle hire details available
Local walks, parks and ranger services, maps of cycle routes etc available
Cyclists encouraged with storage for cycles and info re routes etc..
Clients made aware on website etc and by room notice of environmental involvement and invited to participate ( re-use of towels, comments invited, separation of waste etc..)
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