Accommodations - Best Practice
By looking at the successful ways in which our existing accommodation members operate we’ve drawn up a set of guidelines so that you can benefit from their experience and manage your own business in a greener way. Because many of these ideas are already being used by our members we know that you can make lots of inexpensive and easy changes to the way you work - changes that will benefit you, your customers and the world in which you live. We hope that these examples of best practice can be used by you as guidelines for change.
So if you’re interested in making your business greener here are some ways to get started. Whether it’s recycling, using alternative energy supplies or working with your local community we hope the following ideas will inspire you.
Energy Efficiency:
Energy savings are one of the most important environmental actions to help improve the environment. Carbon dioxide is the chief contribution to the man-made greenhouse effect. If your business makes energy savings not only will you be reducing your own costs but you will also help save global resources and reduce the impact of global warming. For more information click here
Recycling:
The huge amounts of waste produced by businesses are detrimental to the environment. A large part of the waste goes into landfill, which uses up large areas of land and also leads to pollution from methane production, which is a greenhouse gas. The best solution is to reduce, re-use and recycle. For more information click here
Water
Conservation:
Spain is rationing water amid its worst drought for 60 years, draining public swimming pools. Portugal's crops are so badly hit it has applied for EU food assistance. Severe droughts are hitting countries from Cuba to Cambodia to Australia. It is too early to tell whether the dwindling rainfall reflects genuine climate change or just a seasonal blip, but it certainly fits the global warming pattern.A shortage of clean water is one of the most serious challenges facing the world this millennium, according to the United Nations. For more information click here
Social
practices:
Working with local people benefits the community but is also an advantage for guest who can learn about the people and place they are visiting. It's also a good way for your business to bring benefits to the community within which it is placed and create work for local people and share the advantages of responsible tourism. For more information click here
Wildlife:
Enjoyment of the countryside, the landscape and the plants and animals that live there are all factors of great interest to many visitors. Businesses should take active measures to preserve, conserve and enhance their habitats, aiming to increase diversity and attract more wildlife. This in turn will attract guests who are care about the environment they are visiting. It is also important to be aware of your impact on the habitat and where possible reduce any intrusion on your surroundings. For more information click here
Building
Practices:
To achieve sustainable building we need to consider the environmental impact of materials we're using to reduce energy consumption in the home. There are many things you can do to make your build gentle on the environment. They range from large- to small-scale, and most people have to choose priorities and make trade-offs, here are some suggestions. Use recycled/reclaimed materials. Trex Wood Polymer, for example. For more information click here
Purchasing
policy:
Buying and using products that have minimal impact on the environment is to be encouraged. Think about where you source any products you purchase such as food, office supplies and cleaning products, but also consider other types of purchases such as services from sub-contractors, utility suppliers and investments. The use of local or organic food, even growing your own, or local crafts such as pottery, furniture etc. benefits the guest but also contributes to the local community. For more information click here
So if you’re interested in making your business greener here are some ways to get started. Whether it’s recycling, using alternative energy supplies or working with your local community we hope the following ideas will inspire you.
Energy Efficiency:Energy savings are one of the most important environmental actions to help improve the environment. Carbon dioxide is the chief contribution to the man-made greenhouse effect. If your business makes energy savings not only will you be reducing your own costs but you will also help save global resources and reduce the impact of global warming. For more information click here
Recycling: The huge amounts of waste produced by businesses are detrimental to the environment. A large part of the waste goes into landfill, which uses up large areas of land and also leads to pollution from methane production, which is a greenhouse gas. The best solution is to reduce, re-use and recycle. For more information click here
Water
Conservation: Spain is rationing water amid its worst drought for 60 years, draining public swimming pools. Portugal's crops are so badly hit it has applied for EU food assistance. Severe droughts are hitting countries from Cuba to Cambodia to Australia. It is too early to tell whether the dwindling rainfall reflects genuine climate change or just a seasonal blip, but it certainly fits the global warming pattern.A shortage of clean water is one of the most serious challenges facing the world this millennium, according to the United Nations. For more information click here
Social
practices: Working with local people benefits the community but is also an advantage for guest who can learn about the people and place they are visiting. It's also a good way for your business to bring benefits to the community within which it is placed and create work for local people and share the advantages of responsible tourism. For more information click here
Wildlife: Enjoyment of the countryside, the landscape and the plants and animals that live there are all factors of great interest to many visitors. Businesses should take active measures to preserve, conserve and enhance their habitats, aiming to increase diversity and attract more wildlife. This in turn will attract guests who are care about the environment they are visiting. It is also important to be aware of your impact on the habitat and where possible reduce any intrusion on your surroundings. For more information click here
Building
Practices: To achieve sustainable building we need to consider the environmental impact of materials we're using to reduce energy consumption in the home. There are many things you can do to make your build gentle on the environment. They range from large- to small-scale, and most people have to choose priorities and make trade-offs, here are some suggestions. Use recycled/reclaimed materials. Trex Wood Polymer, for example. For more information click here
Purchasing
policy: Buying and using products that have minimal impact on the environment is to be encouraged. Think about where you source any products you purchase such as food, office supplies and cleaning products, but also consider other types of purchases such as services from sub-contractors, utility suppliers and investments. The use of local or organic food, even growing your own, or local crafts such as pottery, furniture etc. benefits the guest but also contributes to the local community. For more information click here