OUR BIT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Our commitment

We are committed to providing attractive and comfortable accommodation that promotes the environmental benefits of the sensitively farmed Devon coast and countryside and to promoting the real value of good local food, produced with minimum adverse impact on the environment.

Please help us where you can!

We are listed on the Green Tourism Advice website.

Shopping

Our aim, wherever possible, is to buy local produce, items made from recycled materials, goods that are not over-packaged and products that are durable or refillable.

Your bit: While you are here you will be able to buy meat from local farms. There is a selection of local organic meat from our Well Hung Meat Co. in your freezer or you can make a special order before you stay by calling the Well Hung Meat line - 08452 303131. They will then deliver, free of charge, to your cottage ready for your arrival and give you 10% discount!

We also offer the option of ordering a huge organic Devon Breakfast Hamper full of local and organic produce - just the thing to set you up for day out walking or exploring! The hamper includes wonderful organic sausages and bacon from the Well Hung Meat Company, as well as tomatoes, mushrooms, milk, fruit, muesli, yoghurt, cereal, eggs, bread, preserves and fruit juice - all organic and locally sourced. There is plenty for 2 breakfasts, probably 3 or 4!
Price: £40 for 2 people, £64 for 4 people or £15 per person for 10 or more people. Please call for more details.

The Local Food Company (winner of the Green Business of the Year Award in 2007) can deliver over 1300 products from over 100 local and Westcountry producers for your stay. Call for an order of delicious local food and help support the local economy and care for the environment by buying local. Your order will be delivered straight to your holiday cottage ready for your arrival and produce available includes a full range of groceries and chilled items. Have a look at our website for more information - www.thelocalfoodcompany.co.uk

Do also try the Riverford organic farm shop only a few miles away at Kitley (Yealmpton). They have locally produced fruit and vegetables (pick your own in summer) as well as a full range of organic groceries and a café.

Local eggs can be bought from a couple of farms close to Carswell Farm.

Langage Farm Dairy Products are in Plympton, 01752 337723.

Also in Plympton, spectacularly fresh fish at Moby Nicks, 01752 331132.

Ticklemore Cheese makes some beauties in Totnes, 01803 865926.

If you want to seek out other delicacies from Devon look at www.tasteofthewest.co.uk. Phone 01803 861267 for the South Hams Food and Drink Guide and information about local farmers markets, or check out www.farmersmarkets.net.

Recycling

Our aim, is to recycle as much as possible to save natural resources, save energy, reduce the need for landfill and reduce the cost of disposal. We aim to use recycled products wherever possible, both in the cottages and in our office.

Your Bit: We have provided bins at the cottages for recycling newspaper, magazines, plastic bottles, cans and glass. There is also a clothing bank in the car park at the Riverford Farm Shop.

 

Compost

Our aim is to compost and recycle as much as we can to reduce waste, landfill and to provide our own fertiliser.

Your Bit: Please use the kitchen caddy provided to collect all your kitchen waste and then put it in the brown wheelie bin provided, where it will be collected fortnightly by South Hams Council to be turned into compost!

 

Energy: efficiency, conservation and management

Our aim is to reduce energy consumption in all activities by gradually changing white goods, gadgets and fittings to low energy use options. We use low energy light bulbs wherever possible and energy efficient appliances. All the lofts are fully insulated, most of them with Warmcell - a 100% recycled 'green' insulation material.

Your Bit: Please help save energy. Switch off unnecessary lights and don't turn the heating on higher or for longer than you need. Please let us know if you still have clean towels or bedding at the end of your stay so we don't do unnecessary laundry.

 

Transport and getting around

Our aim is to minimise the use of car and fuel consumption by ourselves and our guests.

Your Bit: Try for at least one 'car free day' - perhaps doing one of our recommended local walks, or why not bring or hire a bike?

Management of water resources

Our aim is to minimise use of fresh water across all activities even in times of plenty. This is in order to save money and energy that is spent on purifying water and to reduce the pressure on water abstraction sites and consequent habitat destruction. We have put water hippos in most of the toilets and are taking into account water consumption when buying replacement goods like washing machines and taps.

Your Bit: Please try not to waste water. Even just turning the tap off while you clean your teeth or saving up your washing to make a full load can make a big difference.

 

Pesticides and hazardous substances

Our aim is to remain organic on the farm and minimise the use of hazardous chemicals in the gardens and houses at all times. We use and provide environmentally friendly cleaning products in all the cottages.

Your Bit: Please use the products that we supply rather than any others. Try them out and see if we can convert you!

Conservation of the coast, landscape and wildlife features

Our aim is to manage the existing landscape and wildlife features as sensitively as possible and to create appropriate new features and habitats that provide for long-term continuity of local, distinctive character.

Your Bit: Enjoy the countryside and coast around you, but please respect it. Please follow the countryside code and, as the saying goes, "take only pictures; leave only footprints".