ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Hillhead Farm is a working farm with an associated holiday business providing bed and breakfast accommodation and a small caravan site.
We are determined to minimise our impact on the environment so as to run the farm on organic lines and provide facilities for our visitors that will enable future generations to enjoy the benefits of the countryside for holidays and relaxation as much as we do.
As a business, we will
• ensure that we meet the requirements set by environmental law, prevent pollution, and fulfil the legal Duty of Care for waste disposal.
• aim to ensure we minimise the harmful effects and maximise the beneficial influences that our own activities have on the environment.
• fulfil the obligations of membership of the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS), which provides accreditation and encouragement for tourism businesses to help reduce the environmental impact of tourism.
To deliver our environmental commitment we have implemented the following actions:
• Use and promotion of local produce by using local shops
• Waste minimisation by avoiding packaging
• Recycling glass bottles, paper, food and drink cans, plastic bottles
• We have a very efficient compost heap!
• We encourage the use of public transport, bicycles and walking
• We promote and support local environmental projects
• We waste almost nothing – vegetable peelings are fed to the cows and all plate scrapings to our dogs, the ducks eat all leftover toast!
• We grow a great deal of our own vegetables in our organic garden, thereby advocating the use of seasonal produce
• The farm is largely organic, and run on very traditional lines
• Use of low energy bulbs when practicable
• All cleaning products and washing powders are environmentally friendly
• Liquid soap and shower gel for guests' use is chemical free
• We use recycled loo paper and kitchen roll
• We have several water butts, and one of the cattle buildings uses only harvested rainwater
• We have a water meter, but have also sunk a borehole to use our own water (not in operation yet)
• We have a green tariff for electricity
• We use wood fuel (bio-fuel) for space heating.
This policy is available to all who are interested in our approach to environmental issues
