World Environment Day Pledge Board
World Environment Day takes place on 5 June each year and is one of the principal ways the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment, enhancing political attention and action.
VisitBritain is supporting World Environment Day by helping to raise the awareness of the issues of climate change and asking industry to take “one small step”. Small actions can have big impacts and we are inviting you to let us know what you have done to make a difference.
Accommodation and attraction businesses across England have shown their support of World Environment Day by sharing simple actions that can be taken to reduce their carbon footprint. Read the various activities suggested, if you would like to see your pledge on this page please email your ideas, tips or short messages of support and commitment.
Liz and Richard Wright from Marsh Farm B&B, Wistanswick suggest leaving filtered tap water in glass 'pop' bottles instead of plastic bottles in guest rooms. The bottle can sit on a coaster with today's date and a note saying "Freshly filtered tap water for you".
Darran & Sarah Bilton from Apricot Lodge, Pickering (www.apricotlodge.com) are keen to get their guests get out of their car and into some walking boots!
Reducing, recycling and composting as much waste as possible helps their guest house help the environment. Their top tip is to leave the car and hop on one of the 'Moors Buses.' A fantastic value service of bus rides all over the moors, saving petrol, parking, Dalby Forest entrance fees, and the environment!
Roz Simpson at Lingmoor Guesthouse, Windermere(www.lingmoor-guesthouse.co.uk) has devised a programme of activity for guests that shows them how they can use the local transport whilst staying to access the whole of the lake district and enjoy the scenery. Lingmoor guests are also asked leave papers and bottles by the side of the bin.
Patricia Stratford from Mill House, Bourne (http://millhouse.healerwoman.com/index.html) recommends remembering to turn off light switches. She also recycles and composts waste as well as having a condensing boiler.
Shredded paper in a drawstring bin liner makes an excellent insulating duvet for the top of your compost heap is a tip Peter Pusey from Dinosaur Isle (www.dinosaurisle.com) has contributed.
Shatton Hall Farm Cottages (www.peakfarmholidays.co.uk) have green bin recycling from the farm and on site composting bins. They hope to be installing solar panels for domestic hot water in the cottages this autumn.
Wheeldon Trees Farm (www.wheeldontreesfarm.co.uk) refund the cost of bus travel to Buxton or Ashbourne when using the local bus which passes the farm door. They also recommend installing low energy lighting and have also expanded their recycling facilities to include paper, plastic, cardboard, cans, compost & cartons.
Christine at Number One Springfield (http://www.numberonespringfield.co.uk) offer guests chilled tap water instead of bottled, invite them not to have clean towels each day, and focus on local produced food to cut down food miles (tastes better too!)
Hollies Farm, Shropshire is enthusiastic about promoting eco-friendly tourism, and has progressed already with all the suggestions made recently. The farm was recently awarded a Silver award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
Low Penhowe Bed and Breakfast (http://www.bedandbreakfastyorkshire.co.uk) recommend reducing the amount of water used to flush the toilets. Simply, take a half-litre plastic water bottle, fill it with water and a few pebbles, leave it in the cistern and every flush will save you half a litre.
Royal Air Force Holmpton (www.rafholmpton.com) celebrates World Environment Day with the news that it has just completed a new energy/water/drainage project that has now reduced the site's carbon footprint by 85%.
Buxton Hilbre B and B are constantly challenging themselves to become greener. On 5 June they are installing a waterbutt to catch run-off rain water for the garden.
Their latest initiative for guests to get involved with is introducing a reusable shopping bag to each guest room. As people on holiday tend to have time for shopping, they wanted to reduce the number of plastic bags being recycling. The linen bags were kindly donated by Derby University, Buxton and guests are encouraged to use the bags during their stay, thus reducing the need for plastic bags. They then leave the bag behind for other guests to use.
Harbour Lodge (www.harbourlodge.co.uk) re-use organic veg packing boxes as seed trays and return their egg trays etc for re-use. They use local, organic and fairtrade foods for breakfast. They also compost and recycle as much as possible, and have several water butts for use in the garden. Guests are encouraged to relax and enjoy Torbay on foot or by using the excellent bus and train services.
Jenny Handscombe from Springfield House, Warwickshire (http://www.stayatspringfield.co.uk/) has pledged to not use her car or have the TV on. She will also be sowing food seeds and not eating anything imported on World Environment Day.
More recommendations from Barbara Hides include re-using towels more than once by the same guest; offering shower gel and soap in large containers) thus saving on the small plastic bottles which only get half used.