Tourism Should Be Environmentally Friendly

We have recently undertaken an "Environmental Audit" to determine what measures we could take to limit the impact our business has on the environment.




Norlaggan is situated in a designated "Site Of Special Scientific Interest" mainly because of the local wildlife in Speyside (including red squirrels, deer, pinemartins, fresh water mussels and of course salmon).




It seemed to us that we could do more to protect our local environment and reduce the carbon footprint of our business.

The following areas have been identified and acted upon

RECYCLING

ALL paper products are recycled

ALL vegetable waste is recycled

(we have installed two wormories and three compost bins in our garden)

ALL glass products are recycled

ALL cardboard is recycled

ALL metal waste is recycled

ALL plastic waste is recycled

Egg Boxes (about 350 per year) returned for reusing

REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSIONS

Where possible we have installed low energy lighting

All rooms have been fitted with individual thermostats for heating

We now have an under cover drying areas which cuts down on Tumble Drying

Guests staying more than one night are given the option of new towels each day

All are now transported in reusable containers rather than plastic bags

Installation of additional chest freezer reduces number of shopping trips

Where possible we "grow our own" in the garden and two greenhouses

Guests have free use of bicycles for travelling locally

Where possible A5 paper used rather than A4

No Print advertising (no brochures, newspaper ads, magazine ads etc)

Where possible all consumables sourced locally to avoid transportation

New fire alarm system to eliminate the use of NicCad Batteries

Smaller vehicle acquired for business use

Greater thought given to reducing mileage by multi-tasking of vehicles

OTHER MEASURES

Where possible eliminated the use of aerosols

Where possible use natural cleaning materials rather than chemicals

Rain water is collected for use in garden and greenhouses

Use of Micro Fibre cleaning cloths to avoid use of chemical cleaners

Where possible electrical equipment fitting with automatic shut-down systems

Greater use made of electronic communication rather than postal services

THESE MEASURES HAVE REDUCED BY 73% THE AMOUNT OF WASTE GOING TO LAND-FILL

THESE MEASURES WILL REDUCE OUR CARBON EMISSIONS IN 2008/2009 SEASON BY 48%