Doing the right thing for the environment or put another way for all of us, should be easy and through science, education, personal experience, discussion, debate and maybe even argument. At This Is Not Here, we know we can do better! We are very much on a dynamic journey, hence not wanting to get bogged down with long winded policies. We strive to find a balance between playing our part in caring for the environment and a level of comfort for our guests and ourselves in everyday living, that ensures we are sustainable and resilient. We know there is more we can do though and would love to hear your ideas.
Its not easy going green!
Policy sounds very strict, judgmental, decision by committee, red tape and cumbersome; it also feels like something that is out of date as soon as it is written and signed off.
We know to our own cost from UK Government Departments, Local Council Planning Teams, Energy Companies and Carbon Reduction Targets ‘It’s not easy going Green!’. These various organisations nearly made us give up numerous times!
We have adopted the Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Approach. Below are some examples of this approach actually in action
- During our renovation work we ensured we got the maximum amount of insulation in roof spaces, between floors and walls. We reused the materials on site and from local reclamation yards. Except for the wine cellar we only used local trades people and again only use local cleaning companies; With this Local/SLOW approach we try and extend that into everything we do. For example buying local produce etc.
- We planted circa 2,500 trees and shrubs around and about.
- Our electricity is supplied via a guaranteed Green renewable tariff.
- The hot water and heating for the cottages, summerhouse and main house is supplied via ground source heating. There is over 2 miles of pipe buried in the field to allow this to happen and 3 heat pumps that are from the global experts in Norway.
- We ask guests to think about water use, especially hot water. Just to get water to a home has a massive impact on the UK’s carbon output. Do we need to take that long in the shower, did we use the eco setting on the dishwasher, was it full prior to setting it going?
- We are trying to go plastic free (a lot harder than it sounds), we provide biodegradable bin liners, receive our milk and orange juice in returnable glass bottles and buy local produce without packaging and return all our egg boxes.
- Try and grow produce in our own allotment and kitchen garden, use local suppliers and take inspiration from the SLOW food movement. As our private chefs say, fresh produce makes it easy to create amazing dishes;
- Compost as much waste as possible;
- Installed two electrical car charging points;
- And many more, we would love to have a chat over a drink with you about it all.
Think you can help?
If you have any thoughts or ideas, please share them with us so we can potentially put them into practice and help us do better.
