Environment Policy

Wharton Lodge Cottages Environment Policy

Introduction

It is the policy of Wharton Lodge Cottages to encourage its employees, guests and contractors to minimise our impact on the environment. We aim to start small but act consistently. Reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink. Here in the fabulous Wye Valley/Herefordshire countryside we encourage guests to get outside: to walk, run, cycle, use public transport or car share.

Energy Saving:

  • The cottages have been well insulated to minimise the use of fuel
  • Most of the light bulbs we use are LED, low energy
  • Heating is on only when guests are in residence

Waste Reduction/Recycling:

  • There are green wheeled bins in the outhouse available for your glass, paper/card, plastics and tin
  • We leave you a reusable bag for your shopping whilst you are here
  • We provide recycled toilet paper for guests
  • We have a compost heap in the parkland, which the sheep help us to manage and contain
  • We harvest rainwater from the garage roof and shed roof to water our pot plants

Cleaning:

  • We use as many environmentally friendly products as possible, from companies such as Ecover and Ecoleaf
  • Vinegar makes a very good cleaning solution
  • We use a steamer to clean carpets and upholstery

Fauna and Flora:

  • Our parkland has many mature, specimen trees with the aim of providing habitats for birds and other creatures. The six main specimen trees are named on their trunks
  • We have planted shrubs such as Buddleia expressly to attract butterflies, Water Lilies to encourage Dragon Flies. We also have Greater Spotted Newts in the small pond at the side of the Wharton Lodge
  • We provide bird feeding tables and bird boxes. We offer a home for bats in the eves
  • There are books and leaflets in the cottages to aid identification of birds
  • We use flowers from the garden and park to decorate the cottages
  • Whenever possible we re-plant our Christmas trees to use year-on-year in the cottages

Provisions/Fair Trade:

  • We encourage guests to walk to the village shop in Lea for provisions. Local produce is available as well as free-range eggs
  • We use a selection of Fair Trade products
  • This area is a great area for fruit growing. Fruit juice is provided from a farm and is locally produced in Newent
  • Guests are welcome to make use of the herbs in the organic herb garden
  • Guests may like to sample home-produced vegetables. When available they will be in a container by the back door of the Lodge
  • Freezer meals are from local producers - Moor Meals - are cooked in-house using local produce (please see sample menu in information book).
  • We have changed from using cakes of soap and small containers of bath foam and body lotion to larger re-fill containers in order to minimise packaging and save waste

Future Plans:

  • We have an ongoing plan to increase our use of energy-saving light bulbs
  • We have a quotation to improve the roof insulation in the cottages
  • Introduce recycled paper for stationery, brochure and printing
  • Dog waste – organic disposal or dog waste treatment system

We promise to review and revise this policy as necessary at regular intervals and welcome feedback and input from guests.

If you have any comments please phone 01989 750140 or email [email protected]

January 2021

 

Let us know your thoughts

Call us: +44 (0) 1989 750140 or +44 (0) 7761 502674

The best way to contact us is to call, we are happy to support and guide you through the whole process


Nicky Cross

  • Address: Wharton Lodge, Weston-under-Penyard, Herefordshire HR9 7JX
  • Phone: +44 (0) 1989 750140 Mobile: +44 (0) 7761 502674
  • Email: [email protected]

PASC Member