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We have and We plan to

‘We have and We plan to’ is a dynamic document that demonstrates our Green journey at Combe Grove. It is continuously being worked upon and updated. We hope you enjoy reading about our progress!

14/08/2019

We…

  • Formed a ‘Green Team’ to create an action plan to implement our green policy.
  • Have been awarded ‘Bronze’ by Green Tourism on our environmental performance on the 8th December 2017.
  • Switched to Green Energy, a renewable energy supplier. 
  • Installed WS Swift Worcester Bosch GB162 high efficiency class A rated boilers, saving more than £80 per day. The new boilers are running at 96% efficiency.
  • Have installed an air source heat pump to one of our buildings to supply underfloor heating.
  • Added a solar powered mechanism to open the roof lights in the Oak room.
  • Removed air conditioning units from the Oak room.
  • Have installed water saving bathroom fittings in the Oak Room.
  • Save 1 litre per toilet flush with adjusted ball valves.  
  • Installed an energy efficient induction kitchen.
  • Continue to procure local, certified organic meat & dairy from producers that share our values in land stewardship where possible.
  • Source local bottled spring water from a source 11 miles away.
  • Continue to replace and install energy efficient electrical devices – LEDs, low energy lighting, light switch sensors, printers etc.
  • Monitor our waste and recycling.
  • Use phosphate and chlorine free cleaning products.
  • Changed the gym floor disinfectant to a plant-based formulation that has recyclable packaging.
  • Use alkylate fuel in our 2 stroke tools, chainsaws, hedge-cutters etc.
  • Have researched chemical-free swimming pools and received a quotation.
  • Use organic, natural Made for Life products for our wellness treatments.
  • Changed the handwash and lotion in the bathrooms to Ubiety’s natural fair-trade products.
  • Compost all compostable material onsite, from the 1st May 2019.
  • Use green stationary in our offices and recycled paper products for house cleaning.
  • Use recycled paper for notices, posters and timetables. 
  • Provide organic cotton T-shirts to our Coach House staff sourced from a local printing company that use eco ink.
  • Practice wildlife friendly grounds maintenance and continue to improve beneficial wildlife habitat including planting trees, shrubs and plants, beginning from the 1st December 2017.
  • Have created a range of apprenticeships across the business including land stewardship.
  • Banned smoking across site.
  • Provided information on the heritage of the estate.
  • Provided information to visitors on public transport in our area.
  • Produced a map of the grounds with key features such as wildlife sites and tree specimens.
  • Continue to manage 36 acres of woodland for diversity and productivity.
  • Continue to network with green businesses, organisations and charities.
  • Continue to forge links and work with local charities involved with conservation and environmentalism – Avon Wildlife Trust, RSPB
  • Continue to work with local charities to create community projects. 
  • Continue to improve staff awareness of sustainability and environmentalism. 
  • Continue to raise awareness to visitors by sharing and promoting content, hosting workshops and talks on environmentalism.
  • Continue to monitor our energy and water usage.
  • Continue to monitor the purchase of consumables (paper, chemicals etc.)
  • Continue to research and learn about environmental problems and solutions.

We plan to…

  • Achieve ‘Gold’ award for Green Tourism and exceed their criteria. 
  • Calculate our annual carbon consumption and implement ways to reduce our emissions.
  • Reduce and transition towards a low to zero carbon use of machines for grounds maintenance work, such as lawnmowers, brush cutters, hedge cutters etc.  
  • Use green building technologies, techniques and materials in future developments of buildings and infrastructure. 
  • Establish an electric car charging point, a bike workshop and use rickshaws for servicing guests and transporting tools & goods.
  • Promote Combe Grove as a destination or pitstop for cyclists. 
  • Check for CFC and HFC appliances in our buildings and replace.
  • Invest in photovoltaics and wind turbines to generate electricity for use onsite and to sell to the grid. 
  • Invest in solar hot water heating and storage systems.
  • Harvest and store rain and grey water.
  • Reduce our black water waste by building compost toilets and retro fitting existing toilets.
  • Reduce and eliminate plastic packaging in the food supply chain and use recyclable/biodegradable alternatives.
  • Establish and maintain a market garden to provide food for the kitchen with surplus distributed locally.
  • Establish and maintain perennial plant systems for harvesting using agroforestry and forest garden techniques. 
  • Set up ‘low carbon’ woodland crafts onsite, including traditional blacksmithing, green wood-working and basketry.     
  • Provide identification guides and other materials on flora and fauna onsite.
  • Provide observation hides to view and monitor wildlife.
  • Install wildlife cameras on bird and bat boxes to observe online.  
  • Host expert walks with botanists, woodsman, craftsman, ornithologists, mycologists etc. 
  • Have more indoor planting to improve the atmosphere and air quality in our rooms.
  • Improve disabled persons access.
  • Reduce or eliminate the need for chemically treating our swimming pools. 
  • Stop providing swimming costume plastic bags for wet costumes and ask members to bring their own or purchase a bag from reception for 5p.
  • Stop using towels from an external company for the Coach House and wash them inhouse.
  • Change the saunas to infrared.
  • Replace face tissues with recycled paper face tissues.
  • Change the disposable plastic cups in the changing rooms to biodegradable paper cups.

We are continually reviewing our environmental performance and endeavour to increase employer and customer awareness of environmental issues. We welcome any suggestions you may have on achieving our green policy aims. Please feel free to contact us by email.

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