Foxhill Barn B & B Environmental Policy

Here at Foxhill Homestay we are committed to providing a good quality service whilst minimising the effect our activities have on the environment. A symbol of this commitment is our membership of the Green Tourism Business Scheme. The scheme provides accreditation and encouragement for tourism businesses to reduce the environmental impact of their activities. By encouraging sustainable practices the scheme ensures the continued enjoyment of the environment around us for future generations. Right receiving our Green Tourism Business Gold Award.

Some of the main steps we have taken to reduce our impact are: -

• Promoting “Car free” activities through the development of a series of circular walks commencing here at Foxhill and providing information on cycling and wildlife watching

• We have created an area of new woodland, created a small wildflower meadow and are looking for new places to site bird boxes all to encourage local wildlife

• We also garden without pesticides and our planting is designed to provide food and shelter to birds and insects

• Use of environmentally friendly cleaning products

• Adoption of a towel and linen policy to avoid unnecessary laundry

• Increased use of low energy lighting

• Where possible we use local suppliers for our breakfasts to reduce food miles

• We have our own vegetable garden to produce food for ourselves and our guests

• Some of our produce is used to produce chutneys and preserves which we sell to our guests and at local fairs and Farmers Markets

• Provide guests with information to help them reduce their environmental impact whilst enjoying all the benefits of staying in this beautiful area of the country.

• Vegetable waste is composted for use in our own garden.

• Newspaper and cardboard are either used for mulching in our vegetable garden or composted. Non compostable magazines and cardboard are taken to our local recycling facility.

• Plastic bottles are collected by Ribble Valley B.C. We take all other recyclable plastic to our local recycling facility click here for information on plastics that can be recycled.

• Batteries and any other hazardous waste are also taken to our local recycling facility.

• Our web host 1&1 is proud to be the first large web host who relies solely on renewable energy. 1&1 now uses wind, water and solar power in accordance with the Renewable Energy Certification System (RECS).

Future Plans

• Increase the number of bird boxes
• Replace conventional bulbs with low energy bulbs when they need replacing
• Develop more walking routes from Foxhill
• Work with other accommodation providers to help walkers on the Ribble Way and Pennine Way Long Distance Paths
• Replace domestic appliances with more energy efficient models when they need replacing
• Make our vegetable garden fully organic