Conferences with a conscience
Introduction
Situated in the heart of the Cotswolds, at Cotswold Conference Centre we pride ourselves for sustained efforts in attempting to make our work place as environmentally friendly as possible.
We are a company determined to continuously reduce environmental effects.
Just a bit of what we do:
- We have recently been awarded the Bronze Green Business award, and are working towards achieving the silver.
- Our Kitchen team, where possible, source much of our food locally, not only supporting local farms and small businesses, but reducing the ‘food miles’ associated with each dish we serve.
- In the space of six months by recycling the newspapers we provide in our communal areas, we have saved a roll of paper 1ft wide that would reach from London to Edinburgh. Then when you take into account we recycle all our office paper and flipchart paper from our 7 training rooms, you can begin to appreciate the difference implementing paper recycling has made.
- We also recycle all possible card, plastics, cans and glass.
- All printer cartridges used on the estate are returned to supplier and recycled
- Old uniforms, laundry and long unclaimed lost property is taken to charity shops.
- Our marketing materials are printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks with a water based sealer.
- Pens are made from recycled paper, while our pencils are made from recycled cups
- We have recently installed a ‘Pure Water’ filtration system to enable us to bottle our own water. This not only significantly reduces the amount of bottles we recycle, but also takes more lorries off our roads.
- All bathrooms are fitted with dispensers for soap and shower gels so we are not using thousands of miniature bottles. We also use Ecover products, made from natural extracts that have no negative impact on the environment.
- We encourage our guests to consider the environment by turning off lights and having the option to re-use their towels.
- For nearly two years all dead light bulbs have been replaced with energy saving bulbs.
- We have replaced our estate car with a diesel model to help with fueld efficiency.
- Our Estate team have planted 19000 trees in the past 3 years
Green Focus
Following Institute of Hospitality advice we have recently formed a ‘Green Team’. This consists of the managers from each department meeting once a week to try and encourage a more green practice in our work place. We have found it very beneficial to sit down and focus solely on green issues. Some of the issues identified in meetings thus far have been.
- The disposal of electrical or ‘e-waste’. We pay for all ‘e-waste’ to be disposed of and recycled where at all possible
- Our Conference Diary Coordinator and team are making a more conscience effort to condense the information required by other departments to reduce print waste.
- Our kitchen have started using a local farm shop for all jams marmalades and honey so we can return the jars for re-use. This also helps us to reduce the food miles.
- Our energy use in kWh is being monitored to try and find ways in which we can make reductions
Our Guests
During your stay at Cotswold Conference Centre you should remain blissfully unaware of our efforts to reduce the impact of our business on the environment.
